Opt-in membership is available to businesses that either exist out-with the catchment area of Nairn BID, or whose property’s rateable value lies below the £1000 threshold, but still wish to support the BID and receive most of the benefits that members do. As Nairn BID exists for the improvement of Nairn as a whole then supporting the BID can be a valuable way of saying to your customers that you as a business are contributing to making Nairn a better place.
Opt-in members receive the same benefits as other members, they just don’t have the voting rights that levy area businesses do when it comes to the renewal ballot for the BID. For the five year business plan which outlines the main areas of spending and objectives of Nairn BID, please click here.
They can apply for free stalls at our events and markets, benefit from free marketing and promotion (website listing, social media sharing and member of the month), and attend our meetings, business workshops and networking events.
Nairn BID organises street markets along the High Street several times a year. The BID also runs Taste of Nairn, Wheels of Nairn and the Countdown to Christmas events.
If you think your business would benefit by being part of the BID and you would like to join, please fill in our application form. You can also send us a photograph and listing wording for the VisitNairn website.
Opt-in membership starts from £125 a year. Membership runs for our financial year from 1st October to 30th September. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch – office@nairnconnects.com
Member of the Month – McDonald’s Nairn
As the year is ending and Christmas is nearing, thoughts turn to food and community spirit, two things that our member of the month is passionate about. We had a chat with Iain Fyfe, Managing Director of Teallach Restaurants Ltd, who is the Franchisee of McDonald’s Nairn, who are the member of the month for December.
How it Started
McDonald’s Nairn opened in 2019 in Balmakeith Retail Park next to Home Bargains and Sainsbury’s. Iain took over the franchise in June 2022. Covid delayed the takeover of the business as the branch had to close during the first lockdown, followed by a spell of partial operation.
The restaurant currently has 60 staff. Iain can mainly be found running operations and managing staff, but he isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and get in the kitchen to help out when needed.
Now that Covid is endemic, businesses face the next challenge – the cost of living and energy price increases. These are proving to come with their own sets of worries in a world that is still recovering from the effects of Covid and heading towards our first event-filled Christmas in almost 2 years.
McDonald’s Nairn exterior
How it’s going
McDonald’s Nairn has a strong ethos of reaching out and engaging with the local community. This can be seen in the many community events they have run. There was a Toy Story family fun day in partnership with Mikeysline in July with Buzz and Woody. In October there was a Paw Patrol family fun day with Marshall and Chase with donations going to Millbank Primary School. And coming up on December 11th Santa’s grotto will be at the restaurant to ensure everyone is on the nice list and receive a free gift.
Image on left: Buzz and Woody from Toy Story (July). Image on right: Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol (October)
In October McDonald’s also held a Fun Football Programme for girls between 7 and 11 years old, which culminated in a finale with 400 girls playing in games on the Farmers Showfield. McDonald’s Nairn also values its staff wellbeing and in partnership with Mikeysline had a series of seminars on mental health awareness. A partnership with High Life Highland ensures staff can have a discounted gym/leisure membership to keep themselves healthy both physically and mentally. McDonald’s Nairn also runs apprenticeships where you can “earn while you learn” which encourages people to get work experience and pay while they are still studying at college or university meaning graduates will have not only qualifications but work and life experience behind them.
What’s to come?
Products available to customers change every 6 weeks in the restaurant meaning the offering stays fresh and relevant. Currently the festive menu is available with “Elf on the Shelf” being the Happy Meal Character. McDonald’s Nairn will be doing more community work in 2023 and look forward to working with the people of Nairn and community groups to hold events like the successful beach clean they held in partnership with Green Hive in August.
Beach Clean in partnership with Green Hive in August.
