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
Nairn event to explore visitor levy impact
Businesses in and around Nairn are being encouraged to attend an event which will discuss the impact of the proposed visitor levy on the local economy.
Fiona Campbell CEO of the ASSC will be in attendance
Nairn BID and Visit Inverness Loch Ness BID will host the event next month as part of a series of sessions that are being held to enable different groups of people to discuss and find out about what the proposed Visitor Levy could mean for the region.
Highland Council officers are currently consulting on the plans, which could see hotels charge an extra £5 per night and campsites and caravan parks £2 per night.
The Authority argues the levy could raise up to £9m per year “to support, develop and sustain tourism infrastructure, local communities and visitor services across the Highlands”.
Nairn BID manager Lucy Harding says she is concerned about how the consultation is being handled and is urging people to engage in the Nairn session and make sure they have their say on the consultation platform, www.engage.highland.gov.uk
“Nairn BID has been working alongside other Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) and groups to make sure that people understand what it is Highland Council is proposing and what it could mean for the region.
“My first concern, is that the whole consultation process seems rushed and I would go as far as saying that Highland Council are making it quite difficult for people to engage in this process. There needs to be clearer economic evidence to understand the potential consequences of the proposal, alongside the opportunities that additional investment could bring. At the moment, it’s all very hazy.”
Ms Harding added: “The event we are hosting Nairn is specifically about the wider visitor economy and the impact the levy could have on businesses out with accommodation providers. It’s really important that everyone, but in particular businesses in food and drink, retail, activities, transport and attractions sectors engage as this levy could have a huge impact on them in the long run too.
“Even if they are not directly responsible for collecting the levy, these types of businesses will feel the effects and for a place such as Nairn, where visitors contribute to the local economy by shopping, eating out, buying gifts and visiting attractions, the key question is, will the levy generate additional income for the area, or could it make some visitors spend less during their stay? We fear it may be the latter.”
She added: “We are very fortunate that Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers and Ellen Fogel-Walker of Visit Inverness Loch Ness tourism BID will be at the meeting to open and facilitate the discussion and we have had confirmation from all four Nairn councillors that they will also be in attendance.”
Other events in the Highland Visitor Levy Industry Evidence and Engagement Programme, have already been held in Inverness, Dornoch and Ullapool.
Over 40 businesses attended the Dornoch session representing campsites and outdoor accommodation providers from across Highland, whilst in Ullapool 26 participants attended the discussion which focused on self-catering and short-term lets.
The Nairn event will take place in Nairn Community and Arts Centre on Thursday, November 5 and the day before, at Fort William Highland Cinema, there will be a Highland Industry Forum which will bring together businesses, representative organisations and key stakeholders from across Highland to reflect on the evidence and themes emerging through the consultation programme.
