Good digital presence 'vitally important' for recovery of businesses hit by impact of coronavirus pandemic
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Good digital access is vital for Highland businesses trying to weather the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, city leaders have been told.
Social media is also set to play an important role in a new food and drink trail being developed in Inverness.
The importance of online access via websites and social media during the pandemic and post-lockdown recovery was highlighted at a meeting of Highland Council’s city and area recovery group.
Danny Gallagher, of Business Gateway Highland, spoke about digital inclusion, and Douglas Hardie, of Bad Girl Bakery, spoke about the Highland Food and Drink Trail.
Recovery group chairman and Inverness Depute Provost, Councillor Graham Ross, was encouraged by the high uptake for Business Gateway online digital training and advice.
"We know that people want to shop local during the government coronavirus restrictions and they also want to support local business," he said.
"It’s vitally important that local businesses can be easily found by new customers seeking them online."
Councillors were also excited about the proposed Highland Food and Drink Trail in Inverness.
"This model has huge potential for the local food and drink sector which could potentially be rolled out across the Highlands," Cllr Ross said.
"Again, we are hearing that the active social media presence of businesses will play a huge part in the food and drink trail.
"Businesses will be able to respond and promote menus accordingly, as daily fresh produce is available to them.
"The Highland Food and Drink Trail is a very exciting prospect for the sector and its customers leading to the promotion of the city as an attractive place to visit and council officers are actively working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the council’s roads and transport, licensing and planning services to help progress this project."
Councillors also received an update on the work of Inverness Business Improvement District before Christmas covering its advertising campaigns - both with the Inverness Common Good Fund and HN Media Group and independently by BID with Moray Firth Radio.
Members were also informed about the council’s implementation of the Scottish Government Spaces for People funding in the city.
The project is a response to the public health crisis to give people space to move around towns and cities safely across the country.
Further details on the Spaces for People Project will be reported to the City of Inverness Area Committee in due course.
Related story: Business group calls for support as two in 10 Highland businesses fear they may never reopen
