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
Vintage Buy Me
September 2024
“Live Your Best Life Now” – that is the advice from Helen Boor, owner of Vintage Buy Me located on the Brae in Nairn.
Helen is passionate by all things vintage.
Helen is passionate about all things vintage and when we met her to find out more about her business, her passion was obvious and infectious.
“You always get complimented in vintage clothes,” explains Helen. “They are unique and because of how they have been made, they wash and wear really well. They have stood the test of time. Wearing well made clothes, especially vintage can be really empowering. Vintage is a way of life for me, I don’t just sell it, I wear it, I live it.”
Helen launched Vintage Buy Me in 2018 and initially started selling at markets and pop up venues. However, in 2021, her and husband-to-be Nigel set up the shop they now share.
“I love living in Nairn,” said Helen, “it is so friendly and has such a great community, I have made so many friends since we moved here.”
Chicken Costume
Helen’s passion for fashion started at Lincoln Art College and continued at the Kent Institute of Art & Design to study clothing technology.
Her skills led her to work for a fancy dress costume company where she not only attended trade shows and catwalk events, but also occasionally got to brush shoulders with the stars.
“I once had to make a chicken costume for Jim Davidson which he wore when he hosted the Generation Game,” chuckled Helen, “Robbie Williams also wore a Teddy Boy jacket that I made and as it was the late 90s/2000s we made a lot of Ali G costumes and outfits for Hollyoaks. That job was a lot of fun and I really got to put my pattern cutting skills to the test.”
Equal Adventure
As well as running Vintage Buy Me, Helen also works full-time for a company in Grantown-on-Spey whilst also turning her hand to making her own wedding dress for her and Nigel’s upcoming nuptials next month.
“I am the production manager for Equal Adventure. We design and manufacture adaptive equipment so that disabled people can access outdoor activities. I love this job. I have been there for 14 years. It’s so rewarding.”
However, to harness her creative side, Helen who is dyslexic, turns to Vintage Buy Me.
“I love my job at Equal Adventure, but it’s very heavy on the old brain box, so I love having Vintage Buy Me for the creativity that it allows.”
Sustainability
She added: “I make my own clothes and I have always worn vintage or vintage inspired clothing, I’m really interested in the 50s and 60s and this all harnesses my passion for sustainability. I get so angry at the throw away society that we have.
Her shop is located on the Brae in Nairn
“Even in the time that I have been in the industry it has changed. So much used to be manufactured here in the UK, but now there are hardly any manufacturers. We have lost generations of skilled workforce, machinists, for example, as everything started to get done overseas.”
Hellen added: “The majority of what I stock has been made in the UK. That’s important to me. The items I sell are often brought to me by people having a clear out and I also get asked to go to house clearances. One of the ways I can work out what era an garment is from is by looking at labels. I love looking at labels. You can tell so much about the history, but also my pattern cutting knowledge and experience helps a lot, if you know how something is made and pattern cut you will know which era it is from.”
The Brae Community
“Nairn is heaven. I love the community and getting involved. Until recently I was a girl guide leader and I was also the wardrobe mistress for the Litte Theatre. I am taking a break from that at the moment, as I prepare for mine and Nigel’s wedding next month.
“I also love the community we have on the Brae. Everyone has each other’s backs. We look after each other and all of us offer something completely unique. It’s a great little destination in its own right.
“Nigel and I live above Café Nairn and I love nothing more than seeing people dining in One One Two and enjoying themselves, or leaving The Grapemonger with a bottle of something special for a nice night in. It gives me a really great feeling.”
