Businesses rise to the coronavirus challenge
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Local business leaders have praised the response of firms to the Covid challenge and are now looking forward to a return to normality – and profitability – with the help of the Highland public.
Mike Smith, manager of Inverness Business Improvement District, has thanked city centre businesses and staff for continuing to provide for the public in very difficult circumstances. He said that for some it had almost been business as usual, albeit under Covid restrictions, but others, especially in the hospitality sector, had changed their business models to survive, with most cafés and restaurants adding a takeaway or click and collect operation.
"A key role has been played by Inverness Taxis and other delivery services which have been core to keeping many businesses going," he added.
"Looking to the future, it's been tough for businesses, but we are hopeful for the impact of an effective vaccination as we look to the end of lockdown. "
Peter Gibson, chairman of Nairn BID, said its members had been forced to become agile to adapt to constant changes.
“It’s been a tough year for everyone,” he said.
“However, one of the major silver linings is that there has been a definite focus on shopping local and supporting our town’s businesses and this is something we hope to build on as we move out of the pandemic and restrictions are eased.”
“Nairn BID, with valued input from its members and support from residents, will continue to drive forward the successes of our town in this time of need. We are determined to continue to work together with our members to deliver against our Business Plan to add value and make a difference to Nairn. We are looking forward to a much more prosperous 2021, and plans are already underway on how we move forward to make Nairn a more attractive place to live, work, shop and visit.”
With tourism and hospitality one of the hardest hit sectors, Michael Golding, chief executive of Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN), said members had been extraordinarily resilient in responding to the ongoing challenges, but in the early stages of the crisis, many had thought not just of themselves but of their communities and provided access to food and supplies.
He now hopes the community will support local businesses in turn.
"Throughout the period, businesses have had to react almost without warning to meet the ever changing restrictions," he said.
"The implementation of safety measures and changing ways of operation has been crucial in allowing businesses to offer a range of opportunities for local people, including to have a staycation and rediscover the local area whilst supporting our local economy. Tourism businesses are key to recovery and when guidelines permit if we think local first, we can all share in driving our economic recovery, support continued employment for friends and family members and take advantage of the opportunities on our doorstep that attracts visitors from around the world.
"There remains room for cautious optimism. Our destination is well established with global recognition and businesses have shown outstanding ability to react and respond in an ever changing climate. Our businesses are committed to finding a way through this challenge and Visit Inverness Loch Ness will continue to market the destination and support its members as our industry works to recover together. Since May we have reached almost seven million people through social media alone and developed a new website by the same agency as Visit Scotland, which provides greater visibility for businesses and connects local people with the opportunities on their doorstep."
Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said it had been an intense year for all businesses, but as well as challenges, there were also opportunities.
“Prior to Covid I would talk about the diversity, entrepreneurship and resilience of our business community. That has been tested to the full, but it will help us come through this,” he said.
He pointed out there were many positives to look ahead to, such as the development of Inverness Castle and the city’s Victorian Market, and the growth of the renewable energy sector. He said they all promised the area “phenomenal opportunities”.
“I would always be hopeful for the region,” he said.
"I think we will continue to have really big challenges, but we are used to dealing with challenges in the Highlands because we have always been remote and have had to fight our corner to be heard and to be able to trade globally and I think that is really important. We are seeing the re-start of roll out of R100 digital infrastructure and that's really important because we have had to prove in the last year that we are digitally connected and we are able to trade and continue to do business.
"We have some really innovative sectors and companies that are doing really well or have the potential to do really well and it's about supporting them and giving them the opportunity to grow."
