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
Businesses to embrace seasonal campaigns
Nairn businesses are being encouraged to get involved as Nairn BID launches a bumper programme of seasonal campaigns designed to bring more people into the town and encourage them to shop, eat, drink and celebrate locally.
With autumn approaching and Christmas not far behind, Nairn BID has announced four opportunities for local businesses to get involved in.
The programme includes the Nairn Loves Local Pumpkin Trail, the annual Christmas Window Dressing Competition, a new Nairn Loves Local Christmas Catalogue and the Countdown to Christmas Light Switch-On which takes place on Saturday, November 28.
The campaigns are designed to create a buzz around Nairn throughout the autumn and festive season, while encouraging residents and visitors to explore the town and support its independent businesses.
Lucy Harding, Nairn BID manager said: “All year round we try to give as many opportunities as possible for businesses to get involved and benefit from different campaigns and activities. These latest ideas are not just about creating some fun and festive activity, they are about giving people a reason to come into Nairn, discover businesses they may not have visited before and, most importantly, spend locally. The more businesses that get involved, the more exciting we can make the town for everyone.”
New for Autumn is the Nairn Loves Local Pumpkin Trail which was based on a similar campaign run in February for Valentine’s, as Lucy explained:
“Up to 31 Nairn BID member businesses will be invited to take part, with one business each day becoming home to the Nairn Loves Local Pumpkin. The pumpkin will move to different premises each day and customers will be encouraged to take a selfie with the pumpkin and submit their photograph to be entered into a prize draw to win a hamper packed with local goodies.”
Also new in the runup to Christmas is the Nairn Loves Local Christmas Catalogue which will be hosted on the Nairn BID website and promoted through the Nairn Loves Local social media channels. The catalogue will promote gift ideas, festive food, experiences, events and celebrations from Nairn businesses.
“Obviously we want to encourage people into the town, but social media can play a huge role in influencing people, so we want to show off as much as we can about Nairn, the businesses and what they have to offer on our website and Nairn Loves Local social media pages,” said Lucy.
Retailers will be able to showcase gifts, stocking fillers, hampers, gift vouchers and special offers, while restaurants, cafés, venues and other businesses can promote festive menus, Christmas lunches, party nights, family activities, experiences and more.
There is also the annual Window Dressing Competition and the Christmas Light Switch-On on Saturday 28 November which last year attracted over 10,000 people.
Nairn’s “Countdown to Christmas” will boast a whole day of entertainment, including Santa’s Grotto, a Street Market, Santa Paws Dog Show, balloon modelling, circus skills workshops, a fire show, live entertainment and, of course, the annual switching-on of Nairn’s Christmas lights.
“This time of year is such an important time for local businesses, so we want to make sure Nairn has a really strong festive offering,” said Lucy. “We want businesses to be part of it rather than simply watching from the sidelines. Whether they take part in the Pumpkin Trail, put together a fantastic window display, showcase their Christmas offering in the catalogue or join us in the town centre for the lights switch-on, there are lots of ways to get involved. Ultimately, we want to create a fantastic atmosphere in Nairn and give people plenty of reasons to choose our town for their Christmas shopping, meals, nights out and celebrations.”
Nairn BID is now encouraging businesses to register their interest in the campaigns.
