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
Members of the month: Nairn Bowling Club and Nairn Museum
This month we feature two members – Nairn Bowling Club and Nairn Museum,
Nairn Bowling Club
As the winter frost thaws and the scent of spring fills the air, the Nairn Bowling Club eagerly prepares for the upcoming 2024 season of lawn bowls. Established in 1880, the club stands as a beacon of sporting excellence and community spirit, providing exceptional facilities for the people of Nairn to enjoy bowls, whether socially or competitively.
The Nairn Bowling Club will be opening its doors for the new season on Saturday, April 13 at 1pm.
Membership
With a membership that spans across all age groups and backgrounds, totalling around 100 people, the Nairn Bowling Club prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive space. It’s a truly intergenerational activity where grandparents and grandchildren can bond over a shared passion for the sport, fostering connections that span generations. Few sports offer such a unique opportunity for family bonding and friendly competition.
Throughout the season, the Club hosts several “come try” events aimed at inviting the community to experience the joy of lawn bowls.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 14, for a general try bowls day, followed by a youth session the following Sunday on April 21.
These events are perfect opportunities for newcomers to give bowls a go in a welcoming and supportive environment. Moreover, the Club is proud to announce that the coaching team has expanded, with a total of seven qualified coaches, two of whom hold Level 2 certification. So, for those harbouring dreams of representing Scotland in sport, lawn bowls could be your pathway to glory.
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Achievements
Last year saw remarkable successes for the Nairn Bowling Club which proudly secured Bowls Scotland’s prestigious Gold BowlsMark, a distinction shared by only two clubs in the entire country. Additionally, the Club earned the esteemed title of the Scottish Women in Sport 2023 MG Alba Champion Club, cementing its reputation as a leader in the world of Scottish lawn bowls.
The Nairn Bowling Club recognises the vital role played by Nairn Business Improvement District (BID). Charities and clubs, operating on shoestring budgets, contribute significantly to the BID, and their contributions deserve acknowledgment and appreciation. These organisations rightly believe that their levy payments should yield tangible benefits, such as enhancements that beautify the town and create a more enriching environment for all residents to thrive in. BID serves as a crucial conduit linking local businesses with the community, with the Bowling Club boasting an array of business supporters and sponsors within the town, fostering a sense of communal solidarity and shared objectives.
As a progressive club that embraces change and prioritizes inclusivity, the Nairn Bowling Club is committed to providing more than just bowling facilities. It strives to create a foundation for inclusivity and support mechanisms for our members and the wider community. Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or a newcomer, you will always receive a warm welcome at the Nairn Bowling Club on Albert Street.
The Nairn Museum
The Museum was founded by Dr Grigor in 1860 and, after a few moves, finally reached Viewfield House where it occupies six exhibition rooms and a lot of stores full of exciting objects from all over the world.
In 2020 the Fishertown Museum was incorporated into the Nairn Museum and one room has a lot of related artefacts from when Nairn was a busy fishing port.
The history of Nairn is fascinating. The main collections are based on the history of the town and the former Nairnshire, though some might wonder where a shrunken head fits into that!
The museum has a thriving Family History room and requests from all over the world for ancestry searches. However, if your great granny was called Jessie and that’s all you know, it can be difficult.
The museum aims to have at least two temporary exhibitions each year.
This season, it will feature a display of all its Treasure Trove items. There are some real finds. Mostly found by keen local detectorists, they range from earliest stone axe heads, via coins from the Middle Ages to a Luckenbooth brooch found at Balblair. As Cumberland’s army camped there before Culloden, did a soldier buy that to give to his sweetheart?
Yvonne Cotter is one of seven directors of the Museum with the responsibility for paying the bills and keeping the museum solvent. She wants to say thank you to the many “Friends” who make this slightly easier – do get in touch if you would like to become a FRIEND.
The museum doesn’t currently have any employees but is looking for a seasonal manager – and they have many wonderful volunteers which are the lifeblood of the museum.
The Musuem wanted to feature as Member of the Month because its a vital part of what Nairn has to offer tourists as well as an important repository of its history. It’s an important wet day activity if nothing else, but they are also very excited for the new Nairn Heritage Trail which they hope to have a lot of involvement in shaping.
Some important refurbishment has been done in the past year, including an upgraded heating system and they are working on a new website.
