Uncategorised

Warmth & Wellness Matters

Free Drop-In Sessions 

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.

Best Bar None Awards 2024

Celebrating Success at the Inverness Best Bar None Awards

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.

Inverness City Centre Gift Card Kiosk Open Daily for Festive Shopping

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.

Rokzkool Academy – Inverness’s very own school of rock!

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

2024 INVERNESS CITY CENTRE BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS

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

Person Behind the Business featuring Roger Catherwood of The Music Shop

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 

 

Small Business Focus featuring Rachael Andrew of Rumours Boutique

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

Person Behind the Business featuring Bill Hamilton of KLM Partnership

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 

Time to VOTE for the WINNERS!

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

 

 

 

Person Behind the Business featuring Graham Calley of Blackfriars Hotel

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.

 

Latest news

Inverness BID Launches ‘GULL WATCH’ Campaign to Strengthen Incident Reporting

Inverness BID has today launched its new ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign,…

BEST BAR NONE AWARDS 2025

Celebrating Success at the Inverness Best Bar None Awards 2025…

No Place for Hate Campaign Launched

NO Place for HATE Campaign  A new community and partnership…

See all news

© 2021 Inverness Bid. All Rights Reserved