Inverness BID Launches ‘GULL WATCH’ Campaign to Strengthen Incident Reporting
Inverness BID has today launched its new ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign,…
We are delighted to share this initiative from our friends at the Visit Inverness Loch Ness Tourism BID as we’re sure it will also be of interest to many city centre businesses:
As you know, Loch Ness is home to some of the best hiking in the world and attracts visitors from far and wide. Not only amazing for hiking, Inverness and Loch Ness offer a diverse destination in a stunning, natural landscape. Our visitors head off on their journeys, some long and some short, and it is unknown how they stay hydrated through their visitors in the area.
Instead of water fountains, a more sustainable and business friendly option is to top up tap water into our visitors bottles along both the Loch and in Inverness itself.
With that in mind the ‘Fresh Water Top Up’ aim is to introduce a sustainable project to allow individuals to top up their water supply whilst they are visiting with ease. The objectives are;
There are 2 project angles.
Aimed at accommodation providers – 1.
Aimed at Cafes, Shops & Restaurants – 2.
Each business taking part in either the accommodation provider scheme, or Loch Ness 360 scheme would receive the following;
If you would like to take part in the project and be one of the many contributing businesses of the Fresh Water Top Up scheme then please simply fill out THIS FORM so we have an accurate idea of where you are placed for our listing on the website.
We aim to launch the project by mid- July, and stickers and plaques will be sent out before the end of July for you to proudly place as a contributing business. The project is free, and the aim is simple- to make it even simpler for our visitors to enjoy themselves- both within the comfort of their accommodation and the great outdoors!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Visit Inverness Loch Ness
Lorraine Bremner McBride has been appointed as the new Inverness City Centre BID Director. Mrs Bremner McBride has worked extensively within the city centre for a number of years in both the private and third sectors, most recently with Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau as their Business Development Manager and also as the North Area Development Officer for Citizens Advice Scotland.
Inverness BID Chairman, Peter Strachan said ‘The BID Board is delighted that Lorraine has decided to join our organisation and we are excited to have her extensive knowledge, skills and local experience.”
Mrs Bremner McBride said ‘Inverness city centre is such a great place to live, work and visit. I am really looking forward to working closely with all our city centre businesses. One of my key priorities will be to further expand and develop our current programme following consultation with our key stakeholders to drive the economic sustainability and vibrancy of the area.’
Peter Strachan added “I’d also like to thank former BID Manager Mike Smith for his ongoing contribution to the city centre and we’re pleased that Mike has agreed to stay on as adviser to the BID Board.”
Scottish Building Society has underlined its commitment to the country’s high streets, as it opens the doors of its new-look Inverness Relationship Centre on Queensgate, representing a significant investment to the local area.
Paul Denton, CEO at Scottish Building Society, alongside members of the senior management team joined staff and local members to celebrate the refurbishment which has transformed the branch into a more welcoming and relaxed space.
Scottish Building Society has been a fixture in Inverness since 1986 and the new Relationship Centre features break out spaces with comfortable seating, as well as private meeting rooms where members can engage with staff to make important financial decisions.
As many high street banks reduce their physical locations, Scottish Building Society is bucking the trend and in recent years has invested more than £1m into new locations and refurbishments in its branches across the country, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Troon.
Paul Denton, CEO at Scottish Building Society, said: “As the world’s oldest remaining building society with roots dating back to 1848, we are incredibly proud of our heritage and have remained true to our purpose since then. However, it is important that we continue to evolve as consumer habits and lifestyles change.
“We are aware that digital innovation has transformed how many of us bank, but we also know that our members still want to visit a physical branch and chat with somebody face-to-face. That’s why we have made such a significant investment into future-proofing our Relationship Centres and ensuring that our customers have an inviting place to visit to discuss important financial decisions.
“It was great to meet with our Inverness team and members and share what the future holds for Scottish Building Society, as we continue to provide a range of fantastic savings and mortgages to the people of Scotland and beyond.”
Our new promotional feature in the Inverness Courier Friday edition begins with a spotlight on Craig Duncan of McDonald’s.
Craig is the franchisee of 9 McDonald’s outlets including the restaurant on High Street.
Our new monthly article Person Behind the Business Presented by Inverness BID compliments the Small Business Focus by including business owners of multiple outlets as well as those of larger businesses.
You can read the full article HERE
This month’s Successful Small Business Focus features Jennie Cayden, Manager of Keepsakes on High Street
Jennie tells the story behind the Gift Shop which opened in June 2021 and has become a High Street favourite
You can read the feature HERE
This month’s Successful Small Business Focus features Sarah Francis of Yellow Cherry on Bank Street.
Managing Director Sarah tells the story behind the business and how it has grown to become a leading creative agency offering a friendly local service.
To learn more about what they offer (websites & app development, graphic design, marketing & multimedia) visit their website https://yellowcherry.uk/
See the feature HERE
25th May 2022
The Rendezvous Cafe is set to celebrate its 15th year in the Highland Capital. The popular venue in Church Street is one of the most well-known eateries in Inverness, occupying the site of the former Northern Meeting Ballroom which played host to The Silver Beatles on 21st of May 1960.
The cafe restaurant is adorned with photographs and pictures highlighting the building’s showbiz music and cinema heritage, with vintage slapstick cinema and the original wheels of the movie screeners of the old local La Scala and Play playhouse theatres. It attracts locals and tourists alike, as well as Beatles fans keen to walk in the footsteps of their heroes.
14a Church Street, is also home to The Dark Kitchen – the eclectic food experience for take out, which is operated by the same owner, Benny Karoci Hadar.
To mark the 15th anniversary and onwards, Benny is merging the two eatery brands, offerings and menus together to form one food hub, giving diners the chance to enjoy their favourite takeaway in the surroundings of the iconic restaurant.
From 1st June, the venue will operate as an all day and evening fusion restaurant.
In addition to The Rendezvous’ tried and tested popular menu, the restaurant will now be serving sharing platters of selective fromagerie & charcuterie from 3-6pm along side an eclectic wine, beer and booze collection to complement the food. From 6pm-10pm, The Dark Kitchen Diner menu will specialise in gourmet burgers, Dutch fries, wok fried umami noodles, ramen, fried rice bowls as well as designed Milkshakes and desserts.
The aim is to create a place not only for breakfast and lunch, but also a venue where groups of friends can meet for dinner and drinks ahead of a night out in a beautiful fusion eatery and with a casual atmosphere of great music and friendly service.
Benny explains:
“We decided to merge the two separate sister brands together as people tell me they love the takeaway food at The Dark Kitchen and it’s worth a proper sit in place. Now we’re giving them the chance to relax and enjoy their meals in the comfort of The Rendezvous.
“We are still keeping our popular Rendezvous menu from 8am as a Scottish day and lunchtime cafe too. The main passion is to give the experience of a cafe diner in the morning and lunchtime and in the late afternoon to give a more relaxed experience, with quality wines, booze and delicatessen platters with our famous eclectic twist. In the evenings, from 6pm, we move together with the diners to a relaxed, casual hospitality format of fusion food from the best of The Dark Kitchen.
“Inverness is growing and evolving, locals and visitors are developing a food culture with new requests and demands alongside both traditional and eclectic food. My team and I feel and watch this change and adapt ourselves to it.
“The first 15 years in Inverness have been really special and I would like to thank everyone who has visited us over the years. The past two years during the pandemic were probably the most difficult, but most creative as well when we decided to bring to the city The Dark Kitchen concept. It’s great to see people coming through the doors again.
“I’m always looking at ways to innovate and improve and I hope that merging the two sister brands’ menus will help us to continue to grow. Here’s to the next 15 years!”
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.
Inverness BID has today launched its new ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign,…
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