From the centre of the city to the shores of the Loch, it’s just a quick hop, step and a jump! Discover city life with fabulous local, independent shops, bars and restaurants, to history and nature! Loch Ness is just a heartbeat away from the cities doorstep where you can take in the sights and sounds to relax and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul! Come and visit! We’ll see you soon!
TIER 4 LOCKDOWN FROM 26TH DECEMBER – GRANT APPLICATION UPDATES
With Highland going into Tier 4 on 26th December a wide range of businesses should be able to apply to the Scottish Government’s Business Temporary Closure Fund for grant aid which will be delivered by the Highland Council.
Having spoken with the Highland Council they are looking to publish information on eligibility and grant arrangements in the week commencing 4th January 2021.
Highland Council is keen to stress that as these grants are paid 4 weeks in arrears, no business which had to temporarily close will lose out on the grant as the payments will be backdated to the 26thDecember when payment is made at the end of January.
As you may be aware the Temporary Closure Grant is a grant scheme for businesses required to close or modify their operations and is paid every 4 weeks in arrears:
– £2,000 if your business premises has a rateable value of up to and including £51,000
– £3,000 if your business premises has a rateable value of £51,001 or above
– An upper limit of £15,000 in total in any four-week period will apply to any eligible business operating multiple premises.
Below is a schedule of the businesses that we are informed should be eligible to apply for the Temporary Closure Grant:
Accommodation Hotels, B&Bs, Self-catering, Caravan and Camp Sites
Hospitality Restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, social clubs
Retail Non-essential retail (which specifically excludes food retailers, including food markets, supermarkets, convenience stores and corner shops; off licenses and licensed shops selling alcohol (including breweries); pharmacies (including non-dispensing pharmacies) and chemists; newsagents; homeware, building supplies and hardware stores; petrol stations, car repair and MOT services, bicycle shops, taxi or vehicle hire businesses, banks, building societies, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs, cash points and undertakings which by way of business operate a currency exchange office, transmit money (or any representation of money) by any means or cash cheques which are made payable to customers; post offices; funeral directors; laundrettes and dry cleaners; dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody services, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services, including services relating to mental health; veterinary surgeons and pet shops; agricultural supplies shops and agricultural markets; storage and distribution facilities, including delivery drop off or collection points, where the facilities are in the premises of a business included in this sub-paragraph; )car parks; public toilets, livestock markets or auctions; garden centres, plant nurseries, outdoor markets, and outdoor car lots)
Close contact servicesHairdressers, Barbers, Beauticians, Tailors
#PROTECTHIGHLAND – FREE Track & Trace for City Centre Businesses
Businesses in the Inverness City Centre BID area can now benefit from a FREE online Track & Trace service to help protect their staff and visitors
Developed to manage the recording of guest and customer data of visitors to tourism and hospitality businesses to comply with the Scottish Government COVID-19 regulations, this system could also be of assistance to any businesses that wants to manage visitor or even staff movements in and out of premises.
We are delighted to be in a position to offer this service (which is being hosted by Inverness Chamber of Commerce) at NO COST to all businesses in the BID area – for information this system is also being made available by the Visit Inverness Loch Ness Tourism BID, Nairn Connects BID and the North Coast 500. Please find attached a list of useful FAQ’s on the service.
You will be able to register your business or as an individual – to find out more please click the link below:
The MonsterVillain ‘Safari’ is in Inverness City Centre!
This October holidays families in Inverness City Centre can hunt down and bring ‘MonsterVillains’ to life on their smartphones!
A free and creepy (but also extremely cute) family trail of monsters is going live soon give families a socially distanced, contactless and fun activity to do in October.
The trail to find the 10 ‘MonsterVillains’ takes on average about 45 minutes to complete and is completely free for families and groups to take part in. At around 1.5 miles or 3,500 steps it should keep families fit and active too, while providing a fun way to get back to the UK’s attractions, high streets and shopping centres.
The Safari works by utilising contactless QR codes, without the need for families to download or sign up to anything. 10 vinyl window monsters, all specially created for this project have been placed in businesses for families to hunt down. There is no need to actually go inside the venues, but some participating businesses are offering extra incentives to come in while you visit.
When families scan each character’s unique QR code the monster will come to life in an animation on their smartphone and they’ll learn their names, stories and powers. Younger children will enjoy spotting the colourful characters in shop windows and older kids, and grown-up ones, will engage by hearing the stories. After finding all 10 MonsterVillains, families will be rewarded with another, free eBook, a follow up adventure, again written specially for the trail.
Businesses who have extended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme in the Inverness City Centre Business Improvement District
updated 8.9.20
The following eateries in the City BID have decided to extend the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ offer – 50% off Mon – Wed up to £10pp (no alcohol) (for full details please check with each individual business as this offer is funded by the businesses themselves)
Aspendos – Queensgate – www.highlandaspendos.co.uk Monday – Wednesday until further notice
Bar One – 1 Academy Street – www.baroneinverness.com
Monday – Wednesday in September. Quote ‘Supportlocal’
Blackfriars Inverness – 20% off sandwiches & salads at lunch and 10% off their evening menu from Sunday to Thursday
Cafe 1 – Castle Street – Monday – Thursday September – 11-4
25% off Food, Soft Drinks & Hot Beverages Pre Book Only.
Castle Restaurant Inverness – Castle Street – Order any 2 x two course meals and recieve one main meal free up to the value of £10. Only 1 discount per table/party. Valid for the whole of September. Just quote ‘September Saver’
The Caledonian Inverness – High Street – phone to book 01463 250555 – Mondays – Wednesday
Georges Thai & South Indian Restaurant – Queensgate – phone to book 01463 226644 – Mondays – Wednesday
Kool Runnings – Church Street – 20% off food Mon-Thur & Sunday – 01463 230856
La Tortilla Asesina – Castle Street – Phone to book 01463 709809 www.latortillaasesina.co.uk
We will be aiming to put up all new business support information as it becomes available at the end of this message. These will be emailed to all businesses on our business list.
If you have specific issues you can email us at bidmanager@inverness.uk.com or info@inverness.uk.com.
We at BID are committed to working with you during this challenging time.
Unfortunately due to the current coronavirus epidemic and following Government advice the Inverness Classic Vehicle Show scheduled for 9th May 2020 has been postponed. Due to its popularity we realise many people will be disappointed as are we and we will look again at holding the event when considered safe to do so.
THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT QUIZ & COLOURING COMPETITION
This Easter weekend we are running a fun competition for you to do at home. The competition is in 2 parts and is suitable for all ages to enjoy!
DESIGN YOUR OWN EASTER EGG COMPETITION – We want to see your creative Easter Egg designs! Either design your own Easter Egg picture or Download a template HERE – display your finished egg in your window and send us a photo – either email to info@inverness,uk.com or upload to Inverness BID’s facebook page @Invernessbid. Two prizes will be awarded to the chosen winners – you don’t have to be amazing at art just willing to have a go!
GREAT EASTER QUIZ – Can you name the shops in Inverness City Centre? Have a go at our online quiz of cryptic clues and see how many you can guess – there’s no restrictions on how many you need to answer! Two winners will be selected to win one of two £20 Eastgate Centre vouchers. The QUIZ is online via – GREAT EASTER QUIZ
Good Luck & Happy Easter!
THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT QUIZ & COLOURING COMPETITION – RESULTS
DESIGN YOUR OWN EASTER EGG COMPETITION – We want to see your creative Easter Egg designs! Either design your own Easter Egg picture or download a template HERE – display your finished egg in your window and send us a photo – either email to info@inverness,uk.com or upload to Inverness BID’s facebook page @Invernessbid. Two prizes will be awarded to the chosen winners – you don’t have to be amazing at art just willing to have a go! Congratulation to our Winners – 8 year old Mya and 5 year old Natalia!
GREAT EASTER QUIZ – The Easter Bunny has been hiding eggs in the city centre shops. Can you work out where he has been? Have a go at our online quiz of cryptic clues and see how many you can guess – there’s no restrictions on how many you need to answer! Two winners will be selected to win one of two £20 Eastgate Centre vouchers. The QUIZ is online via – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BIDEASTER Good Luck & Happy Easter!
Well done to our winners Ross Finlay and Louise White
Q1 Once visited you will surely stick with this girl on Bridge Street – Judith Glue Inverness
Q2 Nancy Sinatra sang about these in Eastgate Centre – Boots
Q3 Academy Street men’s outfitter named after a Greek restaurant beside a stream – Brook Taverner Inverness
Q4 You might need to ‘book’ the plumber to visit this place on Church Street – Leakey’s Bookshop
Q5 The two ladies in Drummond Street famous for their preloved lines & Bella tartan – Maggie & Suzi Boutique
Q6 Where the male boss hangs out in Eastgate Centre – Top Man
Q7 It’s good for you to visit this shop on Baron Taylor Street – The Health Shop, Inverness
Q8 Started by Michael & Thomas in 1884 a national retailer still providing essentials at Eastgate – Marks and Spencer (Inverness)
Q9 Barber and gift shop that packs a punch in the Victorian Market – Uppercut Inverness
Q10 Retailer in Eastgate Centre whose original logo was famous for its listening dog – hmv (Inverness)
Q11 Enlighten this West Coast Island by visiting the High Street – Isle of Skye Candle Company
Q12 – Known for its darkness this Eastgate Centre shop is really arid – Superdry
Q13 Part of this shop on Union Street can be burned at midnight but it still flavours the chips – Oil & Vinegar Inverness
Q14 The man on Castle Street geared for the great outdoors – Grahams of Inverness
Q15 The girl on Margaret Street was awoken by a member of Royalty – Sleeping Beauty Salons & Spas
Q16 Open this box in Eastgate Centre to find a lot of charm – PANDORA Inverness
Q17 This stylist first opened on High Street in the fifties – Leslie Hairdressing Ltd
Q18 Despite their name this fruit grows on a vine in Eastgate Centre – Grape Tree
Q19 Place on Academy Street where you can tune in online daily to ‘Live at 5’! MacGregor’s
Q20 – Is this fast blue hedgehog heading for the ‘pan’ on Academy Street? Panasonic Store Inverness
Q21 Workers group still open in Church Street – Co-op
Q22 Roofer who recently opened a High Street shop – Slaters
Q23 A favourite shop in Eastgate Centre to keep you amused – The Entertainer
Q24 Supports the armed forces community in Strothers Lane – Poppyscotland
Q25 Green salad, still open and providing lunch on Stephen’s Brae – @Lettuce Eat
Q26 Was this Eastgate Centre retailer named after a US President or his wife – Clinton Cards
Q27 Almost 110 years on this ‘boucher’ is still providing an essential service from Queensgate – Duncan Fraser & Son Butcher
Q28 Italian family that have taken Church Street by storm in very cold conditions – Miele’s Gelateria Inverness
Q29 In Eastgate Centre but not to be confused with an Irish ale – Caffrey’s
Q30 This outlet in the Victorian Market has stopped the movement of cows – Milk Bar
Q31 Sweet smelling shop in Eastgate Centre – The Perfume Shop
Q32 The residents of a local clan on Bridge Street – Highland House of Fraser
Q33 Deluxe store in High Street with fantastic bombs – LUSH UK (Inverness)
Q34 This ladies fashion retailer in Eastgate Centre sounds like precious gems – Joules
Q35 Place to eat in a fortress on Castle Street – Castle Restaurant Inverness
Q36 Wear waders or wellies when stepping into this store in Eastgate Centre – Waterstones Inverness
Q37 This plant is on the riverside on Bank Street – The Mustard Seed Restaurant
Q38 Place for brunettes to stay in Eastgate Centre – Hotel Chocolate
Q39 Look out for this feline wandering on Mealmarket Close – The Alleycat Inverness
Q40 Known for its milky appearance in Eastgate Centre – White Stuff (Inverness)
BEST BAR NONE AWARDS 2019 – Held on Monday 6th January 2020 in the Mercure Hotel.
Twenty three venues were recognised under the Best Bar None Scheme for their outstanding efforts in helping to create a safer environment for the public.
Each business that applied for accreditation under the Best Bar None scheme was visited by an independent assessor and judged on their efforts around the prevention of crime and disorder and securing public safety.
Venues which demonstrated a passing score in all of the key criteria were allocated a Bronze accreditation. Silver and Gold accreditations were allocated to venues which went above and beyond to achieve the five objectives. Three Special Awards were also presented.
The Category Award Winners go through to the National BBN Awards due to be held on 19th March at the Dunblane Hydro.
2019 BBN GOLD AWARDS:
33 Church Street
Angel’s Share
Bar One
Dows Bar & Bistro
Hootananny
Johnny Foxes & The Den
MacCallums
Monty’s Bar
Nicky Tam’s
Penta Hotel
Platform 8
R&B’s
Scotch & Rye
The Auctioneers
The Chieftain Hotel
The Gellions
The Gunsmiths
The Keg
The Kings Highway
2019 BBN SILVER AWARDS:
The Caledonian
Lauders Bar
Revolution
2019 BBN BRONZE AWARD:
The Corriegarth Hotel
WINNERS FROM EACH CATEGORY (who go forward to the National Awards in March)
BBN PUB/BAR – The Auctioneers
BBN INDEPENDENT PUB/BAR – Scotch & Rye
BBN LATE NIGHT PUB/BAR – Johnny Foxes & The Den
BBN HOTEL BAR – The Chieftain Hotel
SPECIAL AWARDS
Angel’s Share – Best Newcomer
Chieftain Hotel – Heart of the Community
Johnny Foxes & The Den – Innovation in Social Responsibility
