BID Security Task Team Update

Thanks to the valued support of the Inverness Common Good Fund, our BID Security Task Team will be on duty in the city centre every Friday and Saturday for 6 weeks from 30th May 2025 leading into the busy summer holiday period.

The BID Task Team is here to support businesses, locals, and visitors alike – enhancing safety and enjoyment for everyone in the city centre.

They can be contacted by businesses via Shop Safe Radio – call sign โ€œTask Teamโ€.

Over the summer holidays, the team will be on duty 6 days a week – Monday to Saturday.

Do Not Feed the Gulls Campaign

We need your help to encourage gulls to nest away from busy residential and urban areas. Feeding gulls can:
  • Increase aggression and conflict especially during nesting and fledgling season
  • Disrupt natural behaviours with some birds becoming dependent on waste
  • Increase mess and the risk of contamination or disease
  • Create noise or nuisance that impacts people including those in care homes, hospitals etc
  • Harm the birds, as human food is not suitable and chicks can fall from roof spaces, making them vulnerable in urban areas
  • Make public areas less safe or enjoyable, creating a risk of injury in some cases particularly for children, older adults or people with disabilities
  • Lets work together to keep Inverness clean, safe and welcoming this summer and encourage our birds to nest in more suitable areas.

๐†๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ž๐ฌ ๐œ๐š๐ง ๐›๐ž ๐ซ๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐ฏ๐ข๐š: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GULL25

Special thanks to Mr Smith’s S2 language pupils at Inverness High School for helping us design the campaign.

BID Business Meetings

Meeting of Independent Businesses held in the Victorian Market Food Hall opposite Namaste Inbhir Nis.

Safe Inverness Meetings

INVERNESS BID โ€“ OPERATION RESPECT EASTER 2025 TASK TEAM

Inverness BID are pleased to announce that the BID Task Team Service will once again commence operations as part of their Easter Season 2025 Operation Respect response from Friday 4th April 2025 and will operate throughout the Easter holiday period until Monday 21st April 2025 1130hrs โ€“ 1730hrs.

Hopefully this worthwhile initiative being carried out under the banner of Operation Respect Easter and funded jointly by Inverness BID and the Inverness Common Good Fund, which has been so successful in previous years, will continue to provide assistance and reassurance to all businesses and residents within Inverness BID City Centre Area, and will enhance the safety and enjoyment for all local people and visitors alike who come into the city for the shopping or daytime and night-time experience .

Inverness BID Task Team contact details are either via:

Shop Safe Radio Call Sign – “Task Team” or

Mobile No 07807286403

Best Bar None National Awards

The Best Bar None National awards took place at the Golden Lion Hotel Stirling on Thursday 27th March.

Six Inverness venues were nominated for National awards including Auctioneers, Chieftan Hotel, Gellions Bar, Highlander Bar, Johnny Foxes/The Den & Playback.

A huge congratulations to The Chieftan Hotel for winning Best Hotel Bar, Highlander Bar for winning Best Independent Pub/Bar & to Johnny Foxes/The Den for winning Best Late night Pub/Bar & also winning Innovation in Social Responsibility.

A fantastic achievement for Inverness, showcasing the excellent hospitality our city has to offer.

FREE AI Session with Rene of Tuminds

If you are curious about AI and how it can help you and your business by saving time and being more productive then come along to our fun beginner-friendly session to learn from Rene about practical ways you can use AI for common tasks.ย  No technical knowledge is required.

Please email admin@invernessbid.co.uk to register your place.

Vacancy for a Senior Community Safety Co-ordinator

We are looking for a Senior Community Safety Coordinator to join the friendly BID Team and help make a difference in the City Centre (part-time/permanent). Please see the links below for the job description and application pack.

Closing date: Thursday 20th February at 12 noon with interviews on Thursday 27th February (PM).ย  To apply please submit your completed application form (no CV’s please) to: admin@invernessbid.co.uk.

 

Inverness City Centre BID Application Form

Job Description – Senior Community Safety Coordinator

Warmth & Wellness Matters

Free Drop-In Sessionsย 

As winter continues, many local residents may be concerned about staying warm and managing energy costs. To provide support and practical advice, Inverness Badenoch & Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau, in partnership with Inverness BID, is launching a series of 8 free drop-in sessions at Cafรฉ 1668, 86 Church Street, Inverness.

Taking place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, these no-appointment-needed sessions offer the chance to enjoy a warm cuppa while receiving expert advice on a range of energy-related topics.

Special Topics Include:

The first session kicks off on Tuesday, 4th February, with sessions running throughout February and March. The initiative aims to help individuals and families make informed decisions about energy usage, access available support, and stay warm this winter.ย  See the full list of sessions available HERE.

This initiative is supported by Highland Third Sector Interface, Inverness BID, Inverness Citizens Advice Bureau, and Highland Alcohol & Drugs Partnership.

Best Bar None Awards 2024

Celebrating Success at the Inverness Best Bar None Awards

The Inverness Best Bar None Awards were held at the Mercure Hotel, bringing together 150 guests for a wonderful evening celebrating excellence in hospitality. Eighteen individual venues were recognised for their outstanding contributions to creating a safe and welcoming environment in the city.

Special Awards:
Best Newcomer: Playback Inverness
Heart of the Community: Gellions Bar
Innovation in Social Responsibility: Johnny Foxes & The Den
Overall Best Bar None: Johnny Foxes & The Den

Gold Awards:

Johnny Foxes & The Den
The Chieftain Hotel
The Caledonian Inverness
Mercure Inverness
Auctioneers Inverness
Highlander Bar Inverness
Gellions Bar
Platform 8 – Inverness
R&B’s
Lauders Bar Inverness
Jimmy Badgers
Monty’s
Scotch & Rye
White House
The King’s Highway
The Wee Bar
B&B Hotel

Silver Award
Playback Inverness

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the following ‘Best in Category’ winners who will go forward to the National Awards in Glasgow in March 2025:
Pub/Bar: Auctioneers Inverness
Independent Pub/Bar: Highlander Bar Inverness
Late Night Pub/Bar: Johnny Foxes & The Den
Hotel Bar: The Chieftain Hotel
Best Newcomer: Playback Inverness
Heart of the Community: Gellions Bar
Innovation in Social Responsibility: Johnny Foxes & The Den

Over ยฃ800 was raised for MERT.highland, a vital group of volunteer paramedics who support the night-time economy.

Inverness City Centre Gift Card Kiosk Open Daily for Festive Shopping

The kiosk in the Victorian Market (beside the clock) is open every day from 18th November until Christmas Eve:

The Inverness City Centre Gift Card ๐Ÿ’ can be used in over 170+ locally based businesses across all sectorsโ€”from well-known brands to the small independent shops you love. Itโ€™s the perfect gift for all ages, offering something for everyone while supporting local businesses and helping our community thrive.

Discover the full list of participating businesses at www.invernessgiftcard.com.

Corporate and bulk orders are also welcome – Click Here for more information.

Latest news

BID Security Task Team Update

Thanks to the valued support of the Inverness Common Good…

Do Not Feed the Gulls Campaign

We need your help to encourage gulls to nest away…

BID Business Meetings

Meeting of Independent Businesses held in the Victorian Market Food…

See all news

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