Inverness BID Launches ‘GULL WATCH’ Campaign to Strengthen Incident Reporting
Inverness BID has today launched its new ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign,…
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!
You can read their story by clicking on the link below.
The following Fraud Alert was received from the Scottish Business Resilience Service on Monday 24th Jan 2022. There are no reports of incidents in the Highlands but businesses are urged to be vigilant.
Warning to local businesses following recent card machine scams
We are appealing for information and urging businesses to be vigilant following incidents in Edinburgh of frauds via payment card devices.
The fraudsters are reported to have entered retail and hospitality establishments in the city centre and swapped the card machine for their own one. This results in payments for subsequent sales being fraudulently paid into the scammer’s bank account.
There were 2 reported incidents on Thursday, 20 January 2022, in the city centre resulting in a significant sum of money being stolen. These are being treated as linked and enquiries are ongoing.
Sergeant Janie Harman from the Prevention, Intervention and Partnerships Department said: “We are urging retail and hospitality staff to be extra vigilant and ensure that they are in control of the card devices at all times, even when it’s not in use.
“If you think you may have been a victim of this type of fraud, contact your bank immediately, ensure that any CCTV is secured and contact police on 101, or in an emergency always call 999.”
Anyone with information about these incidents who has not already contacted Police Scotland should call 101, quoting reference 1971 of 20 January 2022, or report information anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
The 10th of December 2021 marks 20 years since Panasonic Store opened on Academy Street. We asked Michael Freeman (the owner) to give us a brief history of the store and here is his story:
Below you can see some of the stores special OPENING OFFERS advertised in the local paper in 2001.
Inverness BID has today launched its new ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign,…
Inverness BID Limited
17 Queensgate
Inverness
IV1 1DF
T: +44 (0)1463 714550
E: admin@invernessbid.co.uk
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