Nairn BID is gearing up to host second Farmer's Market this weekend
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A SUMMER of fun is planned for Nairn with numerous events due to take place and the town enjoying its first season without any restrictions in two years.
Nairn BID is gearing up to host its second Farmer’s Market on Saturday (July 16) and BID manager Lucy Harding said businesses seem to be looking forward.
“For the first time in a long time, there is an air of freedom and whilst we all know that times are tough, there is a lot going on that businesses, tourists and residents can enjoy and make the most of.”
The July market is being run in association with Inverness Farmers’ Market and will see over 30 stalls set up on the High Street and a Crafters Corner being run in Academical Square.
“The BID is doing its best to make sure there is something for everyone, not just over the summer but all year round. For years, people asked for there to be a regular market for the town and this year, for the first time, we are staging three High Street markets across the year. The first was the Jubilee market in May, and the last one will tie in with the Christmas Light Switch on which will take place on November 26.
"They are very popular and we have had good feedback from the businesses that they do help to drive footfall.”
Lucy added: “There are of course events that the BID is not directly involved in, such as the Farmers’ Show, the Nairn Highland Games and the Nairn Book & Arts Festival. All of these events are happening before the end of September. We also love it when businesses create their own interest and it was good to see the Havelock doing that with their Drink Fruit event at the start of July and the Bandstand hosting a successful Beer Festival once again. It was also lovely to see the Highland Brass and Highland Future Brass playing in the Bandstand.”
Nairn BID was voted in by the business community in 2018 and since then has made significant improvements to the town.
Some of the initiatives it has helped with include: The installation of new noticeboards and maps, hanging baskets and planters, installing new benches on
the Links and the High Street. It also distributed £16,000 in paint grants to local businesses and has successfully spruced up a number of properties with vinyls and public art on the High Street. It has run a seagull reduction programme and despite the pandemic, brought a number of events to the town.
It also recently welcomed two new board members, Mandy Rush a local self-catering property owner and Tracy Cameron from Scotland Food & Drink.
Speaking about her new appointment, Mandy, who has extensive experience of working in the tourism industry said: “I used to own two self-catering properties in Melvaig and a Bed and Breakfast. My partner and I also run the award winning Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre (now Highland Experiences Ltd), with centres at Loch Ness and Skye. I am keen to get involved and become part of the community of Nairn."
She added: "Nairn holds a unique place in the Highlands offering fantastic facilities, beaches and climate. I want to help Nairn become the gateway to the Highlands, with a thriving economy both in tourism and beyond. A more year-round destination, which will ultimately benefit all businesses and local residents."
