Inverness BID Launches ‘GULL WATCH’ Campaign to Strengthen Incident Reporting
Inverness BID has today launched its new ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign,…
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 Café 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. 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.
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 £800 was raised for MERT.highland, a vital group of volunteer paramedics who support the night-time economy.
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 💝 can be used in over 170+ locally based businesses across all sectors—from well-known brands to the small independent shops you love. It’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.
Rod Shannon shares his passion for music through creative classes for children and adults at Rokzkool Academy in Eastgate Centre.
Read Rod’s story which appeared in the Inverness Courier on Tuesday 19th November HERE
The Inverness City Centre Business Awards took place at the Drumossie Hotel on the 14th November.
With over 200 people in attendance the Awards saw the trophies being handed out, a quiz, entertainment from musical sensation Michael Lewis and a raffle with donations from local businesses.
The Winners and Highly Commended in each category are as follows:
AWARD RESULTS 2024
| 1 | Café of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Perk Coffee & Doughnuts | |
| Highly Commended | Good Craic Café | |
| 2 | Creative & Culture Business of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Inver Ink | |
| Highly Commended | One of A Kind | |
| 3 | Boutique or Menswear Retailer of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Slater Menswear | |
| Highly Commended | Cafferys | |
| 4 | City Centre Bar of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Black Isle Bar | |
| Highly Commended | Playback | |
| 5 | City Centre Charity of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Mikeysline | |
| Highly Commended | Highland Hospice Shop | |
| 6 | Connoisseurs Choice Award 2024 | |
| Winner | Perk Coffee & Doughnuts | |
| Highly Commended | The Malt Room | |
| 7 | Eastgate Centre Business of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Waterstones | |
| Highly Commended | Rituals | |
| 8 | Hair & Beauty Salon of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Sleeping Beauty Salon | |
| Highly Commended | Timeless Salon | |
| 9 | Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | The Health Shop | |
| Highly Commended | Specsavers | |
| 10 | Hospitality & Tourism Business of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Ben Wyvis Kilts | |
| Highly Commended | Murray Travel | |
| 11 | Independent Business of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Colin Campbell & Co | |
| Highly Commended | Saffron Oriental Food Shop | |
| 12 | National Retailer of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Marks & Spencer | |
| Highly Commended | Primark | |
| 13 | Professional & Business Services Award 2024 | |
| Winner | Macleod & MacCallum | |
| Highly Commended | Munro & Noble | |
| 14 | Restaurant of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | The Mustard Seed | |
| Highly Commended | Coyote Burger | |
| 15 | Takeaway of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Miele’s Gelateria | |
| Highly Commended | The Redshank | |
| 16 | Victorian Market Business of the Year 2024 | |
| Winner | Bad Girl Bakery | |
| Highly Commended | Ollie’s Pops |
Since 1986, The Music Shop Has Been Inverness’s Go-To for Music Lovers. Our feature business in the Inverness Courier spotlights owner Roger Catherwood who runs the family business along with his 2 sisters. Read the full feature HERE
Rumours Boutique Beauty Salon on Union Street celebrates Sisterhood and Style in the city centre.
Rumours salon has grown tremendously over the years from a small team with a few services to a thriving salon with 11 talented staff covering a wide range of beauty and hair services, including bridal packages, hair extensions, semi permanent make-up, aesthetics and piercing.
Read the full feature in the Courier article HERE
Bill Hamilton, who joined KLM Partnership in Inverness in 1988, values attention to detail as a key part of his work. Over the years, his approach has helped shape the firm’s consistent and reliable service. This feature looks at Bill’s time with KLM Partnership and how his focus on detail has influenced the business.
Read the feature here
The shortlist for the Inverness City Centre Business Awards 2024 has now been revealed!
Our annual awards celebrate local city centre businesses and charities which make a real difference to our community.
Nominations were received across all sectors and ranged from national chains to unique independents as decided by public vote. It is now time for you to choose your favourites with voting starting afresh to decide the winners.
Don’t miss your chance to support the businesses that make Inverness special!
All valid voting entries will also have the chance to win a £100 City Centre Gift Card, ideal for enjoying at your favourite local spots.
Voting is now open and will close at midnight on October 30th.
You can see all the shortlisted businesses in each category and cast your votes via link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/24Votes
Graham Calley, General Manager of Blackfriars Bar, Restaurant & Hotel on Academy Street in Inverness, shares his passion for hospitality in this exclusive feature available HERE.
With a rich history in the industry, Graham highlights the charm of the nine-bedroom boutique hotel, renowned for its warm atmosphere, luxurious rooms, and fresh, locally sourced cuisine led by head chef Paul Donnelly. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Blackfriars is the perfect place to dine and relax. Learn more about Graham’s journey and what makes Blackfriars Hotel stand out in the full feature available in The Inverness Courier.
Inverness BID has today launched its new ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign,…
© 2021 Inverness Bid. All Rights Reserved