Inverness Caley Thistle bid; plus Highland housing tourist levy call; and tributes to inspirational swimming instructor
Proposed tourist tax should be used to address housing crisis
Campaigners delivered an 800-signature petition to Highland Council’s headquarters calling for a proposed tourist tax to be used to address the housing crisis. Living Rent Highland campaigns for better rights for tenants and wants a levy of eight per cent to be introduced with at least £1.5 million being ringfenced to build more council homes, to repair and retrofit existing stock and bring empty council homes back into use.
“Small hotel owners across the Highlands are barely breaking even as it is. Some try to stay open year round at break even or at a loss in winter to provide staff year-round employment. Many have done their sums and realised it's not financially feasible to continue that model if the levy comes through. So it will become even more seasonal across the Highlands, the jobs will stop being permanent and now staff don't have year-round employment to pay for their homes. Then the staff accommodation also becomes seasonal so so they will have to go somewhere else for the winter, reducing the winter population even further and now the local grocery store finds they have fewer customers.... you see where this is going?” - Kyle Sterry
“The visitor levy is not to be used for anything that HC should be covering under their own budget ie housing, potholes etc. The visitor levy income is strictly to be used for enhancing the experience of visitors to the area and their facilities.” - Debbie Carmichael
“Getting quality and affordable housing up here is really tough. Using some of the tourist levy to help with this seems like a no brainer, it will have little effect on the cost of hotels etc but could make a big difference to peoples lives.” - John Tracey
Dad shares story of three-time cancer battle
Swimming instructor Rob Worthing, from Inverness, shared with us the story of how he has survived cancer three times - and what he does to stay positive, as well as sharing valuable advice for anyone suffering dark times.
“Rob is a brilliant swimming instructor and a lovely person. I wish you all the very best and a speedy recovery.” - Fuzz Bee
“You are a top guy and a fighter. Well done Rob.” - Meur Jones Mac
“Wow, what a story! My kids both loved being in Rob’s swimming classes. Never would have known he’d been through this. What a star!” - Fiona Cairns
“Can't believe he's been through all this. He was a fabulous swim instructor to my daughter.” - Michelle Morrison
“Wow - What incredible strength of character, to go through all your hardships and still come out fighting. An inspiration to your family.” - Annalee Robertson
“Well done for speaking out about the reality of it all.” - Lizzie King
“Rob you’re an absolute inspiration, and Lewis was very lucky to have you as his swimming instructor all those years ago - you set him up to love the sport and he carries on competing now…thank you.” - Morag Gallie
“Such a lovely, genuine guy. Matthew loved every minute of his swimming time with Rob and we have never forgotten all his input in helping Matthew get where he is today. Not every lesson was an easy one!!! Everything you have been through Rob, you always think of others and take the time to stop and chat. What an inspiration.” - Susan McCreadie
Offer made to buy Caley Thistle
Inverness businessman Alan Savage confirmed he has made an offer to buy Inverness Caledonian Thistle to take them out of administration. The founder of the recruitment company Orion Group has made an offer of £800,000 to purchase the club and has given administrators BDO a deadline of Friday, April 11 to accept his deal.
“Definitely the right man to take over, has already kept the club afloat to the tune of a million pounds. I hope his offer is accepted.” - Gordon Mackenzie
“Not an ICT fan, but hate to see the fans and club struggle - from what I hear and from ICT fans, this guy seems like the right guy for the job. Good luck to your club and all the best into the future.” - Ewan McNeil
“100 per cent the right man.” - Darren Mackintosh
“As a Ross County supporter the offer that has been made by Alan has to be accepted. If not it will be a sad day for Highland football.” - Ian Ellson
“As a Ross County supporter who wants Caley up in the premiership with us - miss the derbies and puts the Highlands on the football map - I think Alan should be handed the club keys NOW. He has more love for the club in one finger than the ones who have tried to ruin the club these last few years, and let’s not forget Charlie Christie’s input and right down through the management team and young players who have fought their hearts out for the club.” - William Miller
“As soon as he was on board you always knew once the admin nonsense was ironed out, he'd mount a serious bid to buy the club. Obviously stuff happened behind the scenes we know nothing about but publicly one of the first things he did was got the club’s supporters back on board and actively engaged with them. I don't support Inverness but loads of people who do all said it feels like they had their club back again. The club lost its bond with the support and you can already clearly see he'll focus on the supporters as much as anything going forward which can only be good.” - William Duggie
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