Inverness BID makes positive difference say Council Members

A private sector led initiative; the Inverness City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) is making a positive impact on the City of Inverness.

This was the unanimous response relayed to BID Manager Mike Smith today by Members of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee.

Members endorsed a report presented to committee by Mr Smith, which provided feedback on the group’s activities representing over 850 businesses in the City Centre and adding value to the activities of public agencies in the city.

In the current year, 2014/15 the Inverness Common Good Fund provided £81.5K funding for marketing, civic amenity and community safety BID projects which leveraged total project costs of £160.3K.

The BID projects included: the Inverness Street Theatre Festival; City Centre Floral Displays; a Gull Project; the Community Safety Task Team; Operation Respect (multi-agency project); and the Inverness Community Safety Partnership.

Leader of the City of Inverness and Area, Councillor Ian Brown said: “BID has the support for their activities from the City of Inverness and Area Committee Members. Feedback from the BID Manager has highlighted that Highland Council is working effectively and properly in partnership with BID and that this partnership is making a difference.”

Inverness BID Manager Mike Smith added “We are delighted to have had the opportunity of presenting to the Inverness councillors on our business activity since our remit was extended by the city centre businesses for a further 5 years. Partnership working with The Highland Council is essential as we jointly seek to grow the city centre economy.”