Business Focus: Inverness Chamber has key role to play in ensuring the economic success of Inverness and the Highlands
by Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce
I have a real sense that the theme of this comment is becoming something of a ‘Christmas Message’, but I make no apologies.
As we approach the coming festive break, and look forward to a new year, businesses across the Highlands and in the city centre have had to deal with yet another challenging year.
All of us, as we read this, are undoubtedly, and perhaps anxiously, awaiting the impact of the latest variant of this pernicious virus. For it no doubt may have the potential to significantly impact on our individual health, family and community wellbeing and business livelihood.
In this context, the challenges faced by city centre retailers and hospitality businesses are well known and are all the more dire, a further year into the impact of this global pandemic. Which is why the trade they attain during the festive period is so vitally important to each and every one of them. As is well known, I have long urged all of us to consider how and where we spend our money. Where we wish to spend our money directly links to the economic wellbeing and prosperity, or otherwise, of Inverness and the Highlands.
Having been part of the group that created the Inverness One City, One Vision document, I am utterly committed to the development, improvement and promotion of our city and all that it has to offer its citizens and the communities of the region in which it is located. I also welcome and endorse the Inverness City Centre Vision, discussed at last month’s Inverness city committee.
There is an enormous amount to be done to turn both these aspirations into a living reality and for all of us who live or have a workplace in, or have occasion to visit our great city. I’m convinced this will require strong, visionary leadership and effective partnership working and collaboration between sometimes disparate parties.
Inverness Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to actively connecting and representing businesses in the city and region to support their growth. Given the importance of the challenges facing us, the chamber clearly has a key role to play in ensuring the economic wellbeing and prosperity of our city and region.
