BIG ART. TINY CANVAS: OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR INVERNESS FRINGE EXHIBITION
Oil & Vinegar, Inverness is throwing down a small challenge…
Seconded Police Officers from the SBRC are visiting Inverness from 24th-26th May to deliver a series of presentations as detailed below.
These presentations are all free but places (limited to 25 per session) should be booked by emailing safe@inverness.uk.com.
Tea & Coffee will be provided.
Tuesday 24th May 2pm- 4pm at the Ambassador Suite Mercure Hotel, Inverness.
An ACT presentation in line with Action Counters Terrorism (campaign.gov.uk)
Delivered by a counter terrorism security advisor.
Directed for all business and suitable for those in night time economy.
Designed to provide nationally recognised corporate Counter Terrorism (CT) guidance to help businesses better understand and mitigate against current terrorist methodology.
Tuesday 24th May 4pm – 530 pm at the Ambassador Suite, Mercure Hotel, Inverness.
An input highlighting prevention measures in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
Delivered by Allen Paul and Gary Kenhard, Businesses Resilience Advisors at the SBRC.
Aimed at all business from educational bodies, hoteliers and retailers as well as those in the night time economy. Outcomes for your business; understand your duty of care whilst recognising potential survivors of CSE. Break organised criminal activity and gain confidence when encountering potential instances of CSE . Signpost survivors to support agencies.
Wednesday 25th May 10am to Midday at the Ambassador Suite, Mercure Hotel, Inverness.
A presentation on the Bystander approach
Delivered by Allen Paul and Gary Kenhard, Businesses Resilience Advisors at the SBRC.
By not being a bystander this approach promotes a positive working culture. The delivery is well suited to licensed businesses, as well as those involved in setting and leading ethics and values within their company. Reviewing and reflecting upon a night time economy scenario, the outcomes for your businesses will include; awareness around vulnerability, identifying intervention opportunities, demonstrate good practice within your organisation, resultantly providing a positive experience for customers.
Wednesday 25th May 2pm – 330pm at the Ambassador Suite, Mercure Hotel, Inverness.
& Wednesday 25th May 4pm – 530pm at the Ambassador Suite, Mercure Hotel, Inverness.
Scottish Business Resilience Centre Presentation
Delivered by Allen Paul and Gary Kenhard, Businesses Resilience Advisors at the SBRC. Directed to all business including Retail, Tourism and Finance; Sport, Leisure and Education, and Construction, Manufacturing and Transport.
The seconded police officers will highlight all the offerings of the SBRC through a short presentation. The SBRC covers all aspects of business resilience, fire mitigation and Cyber Security. The seconded officers can provide effective and appropriate advice to businesses can reduce the cost of criminality whilst also providing inputs and training on a range of topics.
The officers will be available for informal conversation after the presentations over tea and coffee.
Please email or phone the BID office if you have any questions regarding the presentations.
Our Successful Small Business Focus this month is Lauryn Taylor of Haircraft on Church Street. Haircraft are celebrating their 40th year in business this year! The business was originally set up by Sandy Donald who ran Haircraft for 25 years before Lauryn Taylor took over and has run it for the last 15 years.
They have a loyal following of customers and a great reputation in the city centre.
You can read the Courier feature HERE
Inverness BID has described the annual city centre Great Easter Egg Hunt as attracting an “eggcellent” turnout.
Footfall in the area has been up as families search for a number of eggs displayed in windows of businesses.
The event was held over 2 days – Friday 15th and Saturday 16th April 2022
Mike Smith (BID Consultant) said he was delighted with the first Great Easter Egg Hunt to be held since 2019, due to Covid.
The event attracted a bumper turnout of families to the city centre and was even busier than pre-Covid events. Families were so happy to be back out together again enjoying the city centre. The streets were buzzing and the atmosphere was brilliant.
Feedback from those taking part was very positive. The Hunt took around 2 hours to complete covering many areas in the city centre. Many families took the opportunity to enjoy a stop for lunch or a snack.
The Great Easter Egg Hunt is organised by BID with support from Eastgate Shopping Centre.
On Saturday Night, 9th April 2022, a number of fake Bank of England £20 notes bearing the serial number BL20 610057 on the rear and when looking at the clear hologram up to the light you can read the words “Movie Money” The quality of the plastic paper is also substandard and does not feel like real money should.
Please remember, if you come across any fake notes please inform the Police.
It is not known if other hospitality or retail premises have been hit by this scam but businesses should be aware and alert their staff to the possibility of further incidents and to check notes as they are received and report the matter to police if they find any
The March Successful Small Business Focus in the Inverness Courier features Nyomi Dixon who runs the popular cafe Whisk Away on Baron Taylor’s Street.
You can read Nyomi’s inspiring journey to bring Whisk Away to Inverness City Centre via this link:
Inverness BID are pleased to announce that the BID Task Team Service will once again commence operations as part of their Easter 2022 response on Friday 01st April 2022 and will operate until Saturday 16th April 2022.
The BID Task Team will be on duty from Friday 01st April 2022 from 1130hrs – 1730hrs and thereafter during the same times every weekday, Monday to Saturday until 16th April 2022.
Hopefully this worthwhile initiative, being carried out under the banner of Operation Respect 2022 and funded jointly by Inverness BID and the Inverness Common Good Fund, which have 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
17th March 2022
Dear Business Colleagues
Firstly, I trust that you and yours are well and your businesses are hopefully going in the right direction. Whilst our thoughts at the moment are very much with the people of Ukraine and we acknowledge that Covid restrictions are still with us, I was heartened by the number of people out and about in Inverness this week.
I’m taking the opportunity this morning to update you on developments in the BID team.
Mike Evans, our recently appointed Chief Executive, has advised the Board that he wishes to stand down for personal reasons.
The Board acknowledges and respects Mike’s decision and conveys its best wishes to Mike for his future endeavours.
From my own viewpoint, as Chairman of BID, I understand and respect Mike’s decision and wish him well personally for the future.
A recruitment process will commence shortly to find Mike’s successor.
In the meantime, I am very grateful to Mike Smith, our former BID Manager, who has kindly agreed to continue to lead on BID’s major events and activities in his role as advisor to the Board. I know we can count on Mike and the BID team to keep things moving forward over the coming weeks.
Peter
Peter Strachan
Chairman
Inverness BID
UPDATE FROM THE BID CEO – MIKE EVANS
Dear Colleagues
I am sure that like myself and our IBID staff you are horrified as you watch the news and witness Ukraine and its cities, and citizens, such as Kyiv currently facing significant adversity and destruction.
This morning I heard as I drove to Inverness an article on the BBC where a Highland businessman is trying to collect aid to take to the fleeing immigrants. It occurred to me that perhaps the Inverness BID could help collate that effort for our City centre businesses if they wished to participate. However having contacts on the board of Blythswood, who have been specialising in such work for decades to specifically the countries most affected including Ukraine itself I thought it might make sense to partner with them if the desire existed in our members to simply “DO SOMETHING TO HELP”.
I am advised that at present Blythswood are reviewing the situation but due to economic waste and export rules etc they themselves are simply sending cash directly to partner organisations as they feel that to be more effective and efficient use of resources.
I do not wish to in any way pour scorn on any individuals or indeed tell people what to do or not in the face of extreme distress in a fellow European capital but at present the best advice appears to be make donations to Charities already set up if you wish to help. Some of the possible Charities already on the ground are listed below for your assistance if you wish to donate:
Blythswood Care | Blythswood Care
(2) Sunflower of Peace | Facebook
United Help Ukraine – Helping People. Saving Lives.
Голоси дітей (voices.org.ua)
Ukraine Crisis Appeal | British Red Cross
If you do wish to donate goods then we are also aware of those listed below who are currently accepting donations – please check their page for up to date information:
Saffron Oriental Foodshop
Inverness Cathedral Dedicated to St Andrew
If this position changes then you will of course be the first to hear from us.
Mike Evans
Chief Executive
Inverness Business Improvement District (BID)
First Floor
17 Queensgate
Inverness
IV1 1DF
01463 714550
The Digital Boost Development Grant Fund is NOW open.
This fund is very competitive and we advise you apply ASAP if you are interested as in the past it has become oversubscribed within hours.
The grant can help you to enhance your digital platforms, skills, software or hardware.
To register for the grant and start a grant application and for further information please follow the link: http://digitalboostdevelopmentgrant.co.uk
We hope any of our members who missed out previously are successful this time!
Oil & Vinegar, Inverness is throwing down a small challenge…
Looking for somewhere to watch Scotland at the FIFA World…
HIDDEN DISABILITIES SUNFLOWER AWARENESS The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is recognised…
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Inverness
IV1 1DF
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