New chief executive of Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) looks forward to working with 'fairly unique city centre'
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Mike Evans believes there are good signs of things getting back to normal, though challenges remain.
Having a vibrant city centre which can be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike is top priority for the new chief executive of Inverness Business Improvement District (BID).
Mike Evans believes the Highland capital has a number of advantages when it comes to achieving that goal.
“There are other city centres you could go to in Scotland that seem quite desperate,” he said.
“We are fortunate in that, for whatever reason, we feel more vibrant than other city centres.
“There are lots of good things going on, but at the same time there is no doubt that there are challenges.”
Mr Evans, who is looking forward to getting to know the businesses that make up Inverness BID, assured members that while there is a change at the helm, it will otherwise be business as normal.
“My predecessor Mike Smith was here for 12 years, and it is fair to say he will be a hard act to follow because a lot of good work has been done,” he said.
“The priority is to continue with that and work with what is a fairly unique city centre. We have a different niche from other cities and towns in that tourism is pretty influential, but we also have to work hard at maintaining the daily and local infrastructure and business footfall.”
The easing of Covid restrictions will also allow the return of BID’s pre-pandemic programme of events, with its popular vintage car display and Easter Egg hunt lined up for this spring, and the return of city and bus ambassadors to ensure visitors receive a warm Highland welcome.
The cruise sector has indicated that visits to the Highlands are set to return to 2019 levels this year.
Mr Evans said: “There are lots of good signs that we are heading back to where we were, but at the same time we have to be cognisant that the world has changed.
“Are major employers going to come back to the city centre? I suspect we will probably see more migration back to offices than we thought.”
While he welcomes any regeneration in the city centre, Mr Evans said he is less certain city living would work as well in Inverness as elsewhere.
“When it comes to city living there might be differences in terms of the buildings that we have, so it may be quite challenging to regenerate Inverness in the same ways other cities with more modern buildings may be able to do,” he said.
However, he is more certain about the importance of a thriving city centre for the wider Highlands.
“My view is that the Highlands are better with a strong Inverness city centre,” he said.
“We are not here to compete with Dingwall, Nairn, Tain or Aviemore. We are here to add value to what they offer and, as a hub, hopefully spreading the benefits.”
Mr Evans’ background is in accountancy, and he sees his new role as having much in common with his previous career helping small businesses to thrive and grow though his experience of larger organisations such as NHS Highland and the Port of Cromarty Firth, and he is confident he can help businesses and stakeholders of all sizes.
“I’m keen to help others and at a point in my life where helping develop something unique is of an interest,” he added.
“Inverness city centre is unique and so the opportunity to help it prosper and re-establish itself is attractive.”
Mr Evans has still to hold talks with some key players in the city centre but is already well aware of projects such as refurbishment of the Victorian Market to become a showcase for Highland food and drink.
“That will be very helpful to everyone because it’s a team game,” he said.
“By working together, we can improve things for everyone and create a bright and buoyant city centre.”
