STEWART NICOL: The Inverness Courier columnist says we we need to make sure the basics are covered
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I’m sure many of you, like me, will have been hosting friends and family in the city over this holiday period.
I always find it useful to get a fresh perspective on how we’re doing from those visiting Inverness for the first time, or know the city well but now don’t live here.
Last week was such an opportunity and I was left with comments that gave me a sense of achievement, and others that were a real challenge.
The positives were around how busy the city centre was of an evening, with a wide number of nationalities enjoying all that was on offer.
The range and quality of our restaurants and bars were positively reported, along with how great it was to see and experience the optimistic, friendly bustle of an Inverness city centre evening.
It wasn’t all good though.
My guests were quite shocked by the state of our city centre streets, in terms of how dirty they were, and more generally appalled by the ‘downtrodden’ feel to many of our buildings and shops.
It’s never easy receiving negative feedback and frustrating that it takes others to highlight what those of us who live and work in the city see, but don’t see, on a daily basis.
None of us can deny, the state of our city centre streets, grass verges and roundabouts undoubtedly have an impact on visitors and leave a lasting impression.
Inverness is a city we can all be proud of right now, given all that we have to offer across so many fronts. And it is going to get so much better.
Our refurbished Inverness Castle will undoubtedly become a jewel in the Highland crown, benefitting both the city and region.
So too, will be the refurbished Victorian Market and I’m really excited to see what the end result looks like. It is great to see some well-known and new businesses signing up to base themselves in the new market hall.
In addition to showcasing our impressive heritage, this will undoubtedly be a fantastic asset for the city centre and help draw people into our Old Town.
While we move forward positively, and with confidence, we just need to make sure the basics are covered.
