Ensuring the Highland capital’s castle and Victorian Market become attractions of national importance will be key aims for Inverness City Centre Business Improvement District (Bid) over the next five years, its chairman has said.
Peter Strachan set out the goals as the organisation launched its business plan ahead of a vote on whether it should continue for a third spell of operation.
One of 38 Business Improvement Districts in Scotland, Inverness Bid’s latest five-year term expires at the end of March. It requires the backing of the majority of levy-paying city centre businesses for its plans in order to continue operating until 2023.
A ballot of participating firms, organised by Highland Council, gets under way this week.
Bid developed the four main themes of its business plan after a consultation with businesses in the autumn. They focus on attracting people to the area, improving it for visitors and residents, representing the business community, and ensuring the city centre is viewed as safe and secure.
The organisation said 94% of businesses consulted indicated they would back a third term. Highland Council has also endorsed its business plan.
Mr Strachan, who is Serco’s UK rail chairman, said making the castle and market major attractions was “fundamental to the success of the city centre.”
He added: “The Inverness Bid board is pleased to present our exciting new business plan for the next five year term.
“The plan is the result of an extensive consultation with our city centre businesses and reflects their views on what they are looking for Bid to do, building on our successes and ensuring that Inverness is a great place to visit and do business.”