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
Daisy and Stanley
March 2025
Meeting Dawn, who owns social enterprise Daisy & Stanley, you’d never know that the business was grown out of grief. She speaks with passion, energy and love about her High Street shop which sells beautiful pre-loved clothes and accessories.
The boutique is a treasure trove of stunning, high-quality clothing, but as Dawn explained, the shop is more than a place to just go and buy something to wear, it has become a sanctuary.
Daisy & Stanley was founded in 2023 with money left by Dawn’s late dad Stanley as Dawn explained: “My dad was from Inverness and I was living in London. He got ill, so I moved here to care for him. After he died, I wanted to do something to honour him and that helps people, and I decided on the shop. It’s set up as a community interest company, a social enterprise as that means that any money is invested back into the company. That was really important to me. Nairn felt like the right town to make a concept like this work. I have essentially created something that I think would have been hugely beneficial for me. In fact, it is beneficial for me, as I am able to honour my dad and provide something that I think is making the people who shop here feel great about themselves. For me, it’s not really about the shop, it’s about creating a community hub.
A Sanctuary
She added: “What we have essentially done is create a safe place for women to find clothes they feel good in and that are fashionable. The fact that they are pre-loved is obviously a bonus in today’s society and we ensure that what we sell is good quality.”
Dawn continued: “The clothes are an easy talking point. People often come in and before you know it, we are talking about all sorts of things. We have people coming in sharing some very private feelings and moments and that’s what we are all about. We have women who are battling mid-life, social isolation, menopause, overwhelm. Daisy and Stanley is a safe space for people to come and have a blether. The fashion cheers people up and it’s an introduction to a conversation when they come in. You don’t get that in your everyday High Street store. Our intent, when someone comes in, is for them to leave the shop feeling good and empowered.”
Volunteers
But Dawn is not running the business alone.
The business has a board of directors and two volunteers who help her with the day-to-day tasks.
“I could not run Daisy and Stanley without Linda and Jayne,” said Dawn. “Interestingly, our paths crossed from similar experiences. Linda nursed her mum whist Jayne nursed her husband. They just get it, they understand the concept, as they too have needed something following a period of huge stress and grief.”
Linda
“My mum came up here when she was ill and I nursed her at home, I used to come into the shop and sometimes I would be tearful but Dawn offered a nice hand of friendship. After my mum passed away, I started to volunteer. I have never looked back.”
Linda added: “I have always loved clothes and fashion and similarly to Dawn, I used to live in London, so there was that commonality too. Colour is my big thing and I have enjoyed working with Dawn when she did a rebrand of the shop.
“What we really love is the diverse types of people that come in. One lady came in and she was wearing mainly purple, we started talking and had a giggle about the poem, ’Warning, when I am old I shall wear purple,’ it turned out she was a model for Biba which was founded in the 1960s. Amazing!”
The Clothes
“We source clothes from everywhere,” said Dawn I get a lot of stuff sent up from London, so we have a huge selection of brands that you might not be able to get up here. Everything is unique. We have such great brands at great pricing and we work really hard for our customers. I am also passionate about ensuring there is a plus size range. I am a plus size lady and I would have loved to have had a shop which celebrated this. We have clothing in sizes for everyone, but I am particularly happy when we get items in for bigger sized woman.”
