Small Business Focus featuring Justyna Sikor of JS Hair Studio & Education
The Small Business Focus for August features multi-award winning…
The Elf on the Shelf Hunt in the Victorian Market takes place on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th November.
Come along and have some fun at our popular annual event. Hunt for the cheeky elves hiding in the shop windows within the Victorian Market. New for this year – find the roaming Elf! Free face-painting too.
Entry forms are available from the big Elf Helpers under the clock and alll completed entries go into the prize draw to win a Kiddies Christmas Hamper!
This event is organised by Inverness BID with support from Inverness Common Good Fund.
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH THE INVERNESS INDEPENDENTS!
Support the fantastic range of independent businesses in Inverness City Centre this Christmas!
Our ‘Celebrate Christmas’ event on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November aims to highlight our fabulous range of independent City Centre businesses and to encourage people to support them this Christmas.
Over 60 city centre businesses will be offering special discounts and giveaways over the 2 days Follow Inverness BID’s Facebook Page for updates on the offers being provided by the businesses. A full list will also be published in the Inverness Courier on Tuesday 19th November. *You must mention the Celebrate Christmas with Inverness Independent Businesses event to claim the offer.
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
SCDI, in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn, will be running a series of seminars as part of the UK Government’s push to ensure that businesses are prepared in the event of a no deal Brexit. These seminars will run in Dumfries, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, and we will also run two webinars for those who can’t attend a seminar in person. All of these events can be booked through Eventbrite.
These free events will outline the steps businesses should take ahead of any UK departure from the EU, should no deal be agreed, and will cover implications across a range of areas which may affect businesses, from labour supply and procurement to trade and regulation.
As LCC Live, the biggest producer of live music events in Inverness and the North of Scotland, wraps up its fifth year of ‘Live in the City’, a series of concerts and events in Inverness, it is heralding an extremely successful year.
LCC Live sold over 100,000 tickets for shows and events this summer in Inverness, Taunton and Montrose. Approximately 50,000 of those tickets were for Inverness-based events, including Madness who brought LCC Live’s, ‘Live in the City’ season to a close with a performance at Northern Meeting Park last Friday (23 August).
The summer of live music kicked off with Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds with special guests Razorlight and then the inaugural Piping Inverness, The European Pipe Band Championships, which took place in Bught Park. These were shortly followed by performances from The Proclaimers and Skipinnish in the Big Top Tent. Madness and the Kaiser Chiefs performed outdoors in Inverness, whilst LCC Live also had a successful ‘Live in Somerset’ in Taunton’s Vivary Park hosting Madness, Bananarama, Jason Donovan and Tom Jones. In August, LCC Live produced shows for Jess Glynne, Madness and Kaiser Chiefs in Montrose under its brand, ‘Live at the Links’.
Claire Kidger, Director of LCC Live, said:
“We’ve had another successful year, securing some of the best artists to perform at our outdoor arenas across the UK. We’ve welcomed over 50,000 visitors to Inverness as part of ‘Live in the City’s’ series of events, and being a small, Highland-based company, that is something we’re very proud of.
“With this year’s shows now over, we’re focusing on our 2020 music and events, which are shaping up to be extremely exciting. Announcements will be coming soon!”
Piping Inverness, The European Pipe Band Championships, which returns next year to Bught Park on Saturday 27th June 2020, was a new addition to LCC Live’s line up this year. It was an outstanding success, attracting 140 pipe bands from around the world, over 4,000 competitors and a further 17,000 spectators. Inveraray & District captured the 2019 European Championship title, but the real winner was the City of Inverness, which saw a massive influx of visitors during the event, as well as during the ‘Live in the City’ events, bringing significant economic benefit to Inverness and the Highlands.
Mike Smith, Manager of Inverness Business Improvement District (BID), said:
“LCC Live has presented such a successful series of events this year, not only adding to the cultural vitality of the city centre but benefiting enormously all sections of the city centre economically.
“We look forward with anticipation to LCC Live’s announcement of its 2020 events.”
The Inverness BID Task Team are now on duty for the Summer 2019 holiday period helping to keep Inverness City Centre safe and providing reassurance to businesses & the public.
They operate from 11.30am – 5.30pm, Monday – Saturday, from Friday 5th until 31st August 2019 and will be available to respond to calls from businesses during that period.
The Team be contacted via Shopsafe Radio or the previously circulated mobile number provided to Inverness City Centre businesses.
#Invernesscitycentre #safeInverness
The 11th INVERNESS CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW took place on Saturday 11th May 2019 between 11am and 3pm and was a fantastic success!The event attracted more than 200 vehicles and brought the most people of any year into the city centre!All the feedback from the public, the car owners and most importantly the businesses has been extremely positive.
There was great press coverage following the event both in Monday’s Press & Journal (page 3) and a 2 page spread in Tuesday’s Inverness Courier.
An album of photos can be found on the BID Facebook Page
The annual Hunt held on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April 2019 was a brilliant success with a fantastic atmosphere in the city centre. Lots of families enjoyed hunting for the 42 eggs which were hiding in the centre shop windows. Free facepainting and entertainment was provided as well as a photo opportunity with the bunny family in the Victorian Market Easter garden.
The objective of the event is to move people around all areas of the city centre reminding them of the fantastic selection we have on offer. Feedback from those taking part has been excellent with lots of positive comments received.
The annual event is run by Inverness BID and supported by Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Independent New Businesses of the Year
Jammy Piece, Eastgate Centre
Perk Coffee & Doughnuts, Church St
National New Businesseses of the Year
Hotel Chocolat, Eastgate Centre
Joules, Eastgate Centre
Retailer of the Year – Independent
Highly Commended 2019 – Oil & Vinegar, Union St
Highly Commended 2019 – The Music Shop, Church St
Winner 2019 – Duncan Fraser & Son, Queensgate
Retailer of the Year – National
Highly Commended 2019 – Lush, High Street
Highly Commended 2019 – Debenhams, Eastgate Centre
Winner 2019 – Waterstones, Eastgate Centre
Fashion Retailer of the Year – Independent
Highly Commended 2019 – Maggie & Suzi, Drummond St
Highly Commended 2019 – Cafferys, Eastgate Centre
Winner 2019 – North Designerwear, Drummond St
Fashion Retailer of the Year – National
Highly Commended 2019 – Slater Menswear, Union St
Highly Commended 2019 – Next, Eastgate Centre
Winner 2019 – H&M, Eastgate Centre
Charity Retailer of the Year
Highly Commended 2019 – New Start Highland, Church St
Highly Commended 2019 – Highland Hospice Shop, Queensgate
Winner 2019 – PDSA, Queensgate
Restaurant of the Year – Independent
Highly Commended 2019 – The Mustard Seed, Bank St
Highly Commended 2019 – Fig & Thistle, Stephens Brae
Winner 2019 – Café One, Castle St
Restaurant of the Year – National
Highly Commended 2019 – Bella Italia, Bridge St
Highly Commended 2019 – Pizza Express, Falcon Square
Winner 2019 – Zizzi, Bridge St
Cafe of the Year – Independent
Highly Commended 2019 – Artysans Cafe
Highly Commended 2019 – Blend, Drummond St
Winner 2019 – Girvans, Stephens Brae
Café of the Year – National
Highly Commended 2019 – Starbucks, Eastgate Centre
Highly Commended 2019 – Caffe Nero, High St
Winner 2019 – Costa, Eastgate Centre
Takeaway of the Year – Independent
Highly Commended 2019 – Milk Bar, Victorian Market
Highly Commended 2019 – Harry Gow, Union St
Winner 2019 – Miele’s Gelateria, Church St
Takeaway of the Year – National
Highly Commended 2019 – Dominos, Academy St
Highly Commended 2019 – Pizza Hut, Strothers Lane
Winner 2019 – McDonalds, High Street
Hair and Beauty Salon of the Year
Highly Commended 2019 – Sleeping Beauty, Margaret St
Highly Commended 2019 – Timeless Salon, Market Brae Steps
Winner 2019 – Paul Mulvaney, Academy St
Office of the Year
Highly Commended 2019 – Munro & Noble, Church St
Highly Commended 2019 – Macleod & MacCallum, Queensgate
Winner 2019 – Citizens Advice Bureau, Union St
The Board and management of Visit Inverness Loch Ness have expressed thanks to member businesses for their support in ensuring a continuation of the work of the Tourism BID for a further five years. At Eden Court today the CEO of Highland Council, Donna Manson, announced that following a ballot of all 359 Tourism BID members 115 had voted in favour and 43 against. The turnout was 44.66% and the turnout by rateable value was 46.64%. Thus on all accounts the result meets the BID requirements to be successful.
Graeme Bell, Chairman of Visit Inverness Loch Ness said, “It is fantastic news that once again local businesses have supported the Tourism BID. It was the first of its kind in Scotland when established in 2014 which said a lot at the time of recognition by local tourism businesses of the need to work and contribute collaboratively for the greater good. It says even more this time when business costs are rising, that members still recognise that a strong, financially supported destination management organisation is an important contributor to the success of tourism in the destination.
Graeme Ambrose , CEO of Visit Inverness Loch Ness said, “The success comes at a time when the industry both locally and nationally is facing a number of major challenges, not least those associated with Brexit, and to not work together would have undermined the long term sustainability of a vibrant and healthy local tourism industry. We are therefore delighted that members have once again supported Visit Inverness Loch Ness and put their trust in the organisation to deliver.
“The ballot result enables us to commence without delay important new projects, not least the development and launch of the LochNess360° trail, the support of local community events, working collaboratively with VisitScotland to maximise the potential of travel influencers and bloggers and much more. Equally to continue to grow not only our online presence and the value and importance of business tourism to the local economy but also to offer continued business development opportunities for members”
Mike Smith, Inverness City Centre BID Manager said, “We are delighted that VisitInvernessLochNess Tourism BID has been successful at its first re ballot. It achieved much for the benefit of the local tourism industry its first five year term and we are sure that it will continue to do so. The City Centre BID also look forward to working more collaboratively with the Tourism BID to ensure that collectively we can maximise the tourism potential of Inverness”
Chris Taylor, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director, said“ I am delighted that Visit Inverness Loch Ness will carry on the excellent work it has been doing in marketing this vibrant region and strengthening the local tourism economy. We know this area is a huge draw to visitors – both domestic and international – but we cannot be complacent and it is so important that we continue to invest in marketing the area and bringing even more events, festivals, conferences, business tourism and visitors to the area, to make this a must-visit, must-return destination.
“I would like to congratulate Graeme and his team for all the work they have already done to put this region firmly on the map – particularly around the creation of the new LochNess360° Trail. I am confident they will only build on this success as they continue to promote Inverness and Loch Ness as a sustainable tourism destination.”
For more information please see at www.visitinvernesslochness.com . Alternatively email graeme@visitiln.com or contact on 01463 219219 or 07786358941
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 together with an Award from Inverness BID to Don Lawson for his stalwart support of Inverness Pub Watch and BBN Awards since they both started in 2005/6 respectively.
The Category Award Winners go through to the National BBN Awards due to be held on Thursday 28th March 2019 at Dunblane Hydro Hotel.
CATEGORY AWARD WINNERS
BBN BAR – The Auctioneers
BBN PUB – Platform 8
BBN INDEPENDENT BAR – Johnny Foxes & The Den
BBN INDEPENDENT PUB – The Gellions
HOTEL BAR – The Chieftain Hotel
BBN NIGHTCLUB – Club Tropicana Vogue & Bar on Taylor’s Street
GOLD
* Johnny Foxes & The Den
* The Auctioneers
* The Exchange
* The Gellions
* R&B’s
* Club Tropicana & Vogue and Bar On Taylor’s Street
* The Caledonian
* Lauders Bar
* Monty’s Bar
* MacCallums
* The Chieftain Hotel
* The Kings Highway
* 33 Church Street
* Scotch & Rye
* Bar One
* The Penta Hotel
* The Keg
* Dows Bar & Bistro
SILVER
* The Gunsmiths
* Revolution
* Hootananny
BRONZE
* Black Isle Bar
SPECIAL AWARDS
* Revolution – Best Newcomer
* Dow’s Bar & Bistro – Heart of the Community
* Johnny Foxes & The Den – Innovation in Social Responsibility
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