NAIRN BID: We don’t know who else would organise Christmas in Nairn!
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What would Nairn be like without the BID?
Nairn BID is an organisation voted for by Nairn’s businesses, run by representatives of member organisations, for the good of local business and Nairn as a whole.
A BID is a legal structure whereby all the non-domestic rates liable bodies (so not just businesses, but also clubs, charities, care homes etc) are asked to vote as to whether they would like to have a BID. A BID means that everyone makes just one payment a year based on their rateable value, and in return the town gets many benefits: hanging baskets in summer; Christmas lights in winter; high street markets; a programme of events designed to bring footfall to the town; and a full network of support for tourism.
Visitnairn.com and the associated channels provide comprehensive listings and information for visitors. All in all, even if your business itself doesn’t directly benefit, you’re contributing to the prosperity and the economic life of the town.
One of our members recently said that even if it wasn’t paying for anything else, it would be worth paying their levy just for the Christmas lights and the switch-on event – we don’t know who else would organise Christmas in Nairn! Members are welcome to come to the AGM or apply to become directors – it is certainly a group effort and the more hands to the pump, the more we can achieve.
The important thing to understand is that this is a democratic process. The majority vote, by number and rateable value, will carry and either way it will affect everyone in Nairn. If the ballot is positive, it will mean another five years of the BID, and the opportunities for investment and improvement to the local environment that it affords.
We are in the middle of the voting period, and the results will be announced on August 25 at 5pm, when members can join us at the community centre if they wish. Fingers crossed for the future of Nairn!
Lucy Harding, manager of Nairn BID
