Public confidence is paramount for Inverness and Loch Ness area recovery
Highland Councillors on the City and Area Recovery Group are united in their call to boost public confidence for people to return to city centre businesses safely.
In an online meeting today the recovery work of Inverness BID and Visit Inverness Loch Ness was highlighted to Councillors.
Mike Smith, Inverness BID Manager provided an update on their partnership working during the pandemic. He said: “Inverness BID would like to thank Highland Council and Inverness Common Good Fund for their support over recent months and in particular the efforts of Council officers engaging with BID and other organisations.
“We also thank Inverness Common Good Fund for investment in the ‘Bounce Back’ marketing campaign with HNM Group which has now gone on to a 7-week festive campaign; and the Council also for the 2-hour free parking at Rose Street – the public response on social media to this has been amazing.”
He added: “We very much welcome the Council’s Roads Team for their engagement with M&S to use Hamilton Street from this weekend until Christmas for a queuing system to allow safe customer collections. This a really positive joint initiative. Looking forward, the footfall drivers in the city centre are key shops, bars and restaurants, tourism and offices.
“An increasing number of people are returning to the city centre and we recognise the need to continue to encourage people to come to what businesses are ensuring are safe environments.
“We recognise that Highland Council is playing a crucial role in a number of major capital projects in the city centre, supporting and driving these with both public and private investors.”
Depute Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area, Cllr Graham Ross |
Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Margaret Davidson |
Depute Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area, Cllr Graham Ross who Chairs the City and Area Recovery Group thanked Inverness BID for their work on the local Bounce Back campaign and updated the Working Group on the Spaces for People Programme, he said: “The local articles and interest in the Bounce Back campaign have been very well received. The Spaces for People programme will be coming back to the city committee in February for further discussion. I am delighted to hear that the 2-hour free parking in Rose Street is going well and this will continue into the New Year. We look forward to Inverness BID providing an update in January on how the festive period fares for city centre businesses.”
Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Margaret Davidson added: “Businesses are working hard at providing a safe service for the public to visit the city centre – public confidence is vital.
“My personal experience in the shops and premises that I have visited have been very professional and safe regarding Covid health and safety. It’s important that we buy local and support local businesses at this critical time. We have the support of Environmental health who are working very hard at ensuring that businesses are complying with Covid regulations.”
Members also received an update from Alan Rawlinson, Business Development Manager with Visit Inverness Loch Ness on the work of the Tourism Business Improvement District over the recent months. He highlighted their increased social media activity, development on their new website, several marketing campaigns and engagement with their business members. He said: “It will be a difficult 6 months ahead with a reliance on local domestic visits but we have a high level of interest from Europe and overseas and the confidence is and the confidence and level of interest is encouraging from future visitors.”
Cllr Graham Ross said, “There are many opportunities moving forward in the Inverness and Loch Ness area and I look forward to events starting again such as the Etape which will drive footfall and visitors to the area.”
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