INVERNESS BID: Concerns continue to be raised with us about Academy Street plans
The BID board and team would like to thank all our member businesses who voted for us to serve a fourth five-year term for the period April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028.
Our renewed mandate allows us to implement the many projects and initiatives we outlined in our new business plan (available on the BID website).
We’ve already made a start with our coach ambassador programme having recommenced on April 1 to provide visitors with information and a warm Highland welcome and via our Great Easter Egg Hunt at the weekend, which attracted old and new hunters this year.
The Academy Street/city centre active travel proposals remain a key issue for many of our member businesses and the BID board.
A total of 72.5 per cent of businesses confirmed they are in favour of having a ‘cleaner and greener’ city centre and many have noted some interesting ideas as to how individually and collectively this can be achieved.
Most have also confirmed that they are in favour of investment in the city centre where such improvements are deemed to enhance the vibrancy and trading environment.
It is still the case however that concerns continue to be raised with us including regarding the procedure followed to date, lack of meaningful consultation at the formative and influential stages, not having more/full details of the latest proposal (such as the dispersal routes and/or what if any measures or restrictions on total vehicle numbers or for deliveries for example may be applied).
Some businesses have also highlighted that the effect on the local and regional economy, their staff and the wider public has not been, in their view, properly consulted upon or impact assessed.
We are in the process of re-consulting with our members in this regard and we will continue to raise awareness of the issues that our businesses identify as being important to them.
Important to BID is that the full rationale, context and any medium/longer term plans, as may apply directly or indirectly, be disclosed to our members and the public.
Lorraine Bremner McBride is Inverness BID's director.
