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 – Vitamin Sea Nairn
Vitamin Sea Nairn’s shopfront
Vitamin Sea Nairn opened on Saturday the 2nd of July 2022 at 49 High Street. The shop sells a range of products (gifts, sticks of rock, clothing, Nairn branded items) and prints designs onto t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags (and much more). They also sell takeaway tea with tea blended in Scotland by the Wee Tea Company. The shop is popular with visitors, locals, and businesses alike. Vitamin Sea Nairn is run by Karen and Phill. We spoke to Karen to get the inside info on the business.
Karen and Phill in the shop
How did it start? Karen has 20 years of experience in retail management from her career which spans Argos, Mothercare and Boots. Before that she served 18 years in the RAF and had always thought that when the time was right, she would set up her own shop and work for herself. After the birth of Karen’s first grandson last May, she had the push she needed to start up her own business. Phill retired from the Police force last February and joined her, with his focus being the printing side of the business.
The view from the bridge!
Vitamin Sea Nairn’s stall at Taste of Nairn
How is it going?
The name of the shop promotes Karen’s belief that the sea and Nairn are good for you.
“I love living & working in Nairn. We have a lovely town, beaches & great community spirit. I love living by the sea. No matter how you are feeling a stroll down the beach will soothe & help your mood. The local community have really supported us since our opening. We are extremely grateful; this means the world to us both.” Karen oversees the stock held in the shop. Her whole ethos for selecting goods for the shop is that they are things Karen would buy either as gifts for family & friends, or that she would like to own herself. She believes in buying from local suppliers, and sources ethically and environmentally friendly items where possible. For example, the soft toys they sell are made from recycled plastic bottles. The buckets & spades are made from recycled ocean plastics & brown seaweed.
Phill looks after the printing side of the business which spans a range of items, including t-shirts, hoodies, cups, cards & water bottles. They print and supply local businesses with merchandise & workwear on a print on demand basis. This allows local companies to promote & sell merchandise for their business without having to buy large amounts of products in advance of selling them. Vitamins Sea Nairn currently provide this service for many small & medium sized businesses in Nairn.
In regard to the current energy and cost of living crisis: The current energy price increase affected them over the winter with heating bills. The wholesale price of all their products has gone up. Karen makes sure that all their prices are fair & she wouldn’t charge any more than she would be willing to pay herself as a result they have taken a slight loss on a few of their products.
Pirate Phill and Captain Karen
What’s in the future?
“Top of our to do list is to set up a website. Then to focus on designing & printing our own t-shirt range.”
July will be the 1st anniversary of the shop and Karen and Phill will be celebrating it with their customers and thanking them for their 1st years’ custom. They are delighted to be member of the month and feel that this will give them additional exposure and a little bit of promotion. It’s also a good chance to share what they do with other BID members and the wider community. Recently Vitamin Sea Nairn won “Regional Best New Business” Scottish Business Award & they have been entered into the National finals in November. They feel the best thing about this award is that they were nominated by their customers.
“It was a lovely surprise & means so much to us both.” We wish them all the best with the National finals in November and would encourage everyone to pop in and see them to wish them well.
Karen and Phill with their Best New Business Award
