Vital we all show our support for local shops in Inverness and across the Highlands
BUSINESS in Inverness city centre is picking up as people get used to the new safety measures which have been put in place as part of the new normal.
The Inverness Courier, in association with Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) and Highland Council’s Inverness Common Good Fund, has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging more people to visit the area for shopping and for going out.
With restrictions eased, and most businesses now reopened, the Getting Inverness Back to Business campaign aims to show that it is safe to visit the city centre with confidence.
Businesses this week said they had noticed a gradual increase in footfall, especially over last weekend.
Councillor Graham Ross (Inverness West, Independent), chairman of the Inverness city and area recovery committee, said: “It was very pleasing to see the city centre getting busier with more people appearing to venture out as more and more businesses begin to open up again and as people’s confidence starts to grow.
“To see queues forming outside the hairdressers and barbers shows how welcome their return is and just how vital some services are. There seemed to be a lot more traffic on the roads too which is a welcome sign that we are returning towards a bit more of normality.
“The opening up of restaurants, bars and hotels certainly adds to the vibrancy of the city and provides many more options for people to engage again in more normal activities. It is vital for the economic recovery of the city that, wherever possible, people take the opportunity to shop locally and support local businesses.
“It is also very reassuring for everyone to see the extreme lengths and the extent of the precautions taken to ensure public safety when visiting shops and restaurants and bars around the city.
“I have been very impressed by the care and attention taken to ensure that compliance with all the social distancing rules and the wearing of face masks has been taken on board by the public, with virtually all complying with these rules.
“It is vital that people continue to abide by the rules as these measures are going to be with us for some considerable time to come.”
Inverness BID manager Mike Smith said: “There is obviously momentum and we are seeing more and more residents and a lot more tourists.”
He said there were more flights at Inverness Airport – including from Amsterdam, Gatwick and Heathrow – and added: “I saw six people hiring bikes this morning, who were obviously tourists and were off down towards Bught Park.
“There is a lot happening and, with more cafés and bars reopening, I think we will see even better reports back from there.”
Jackie Cuddy, the manager of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, said things were picking up in the centre and added: “We have got some retailers that have got online sales – the clicks are helping the bricks.
“I think Debenhams did about 55 per cent but that was not too bad because it was over six days because their week starts on a Sunday. The mood is still good and positive – fingers crossed for this weekend.”
David Richardson, the Federation of Small Business’s Highlands and Islands development manager, said: “Inverness’s economy has suffered a mighty shock to its system thanks to the Covid-19 crisis.
“While reopening is fantastic news, it is taking time for shoppers to regain their confidence to go out and about and start spending on high streets once more, and retailers are also losing out to online shopping, the growth of the home delivery services provided by large supermarkets and their like, and the absence of many visitors mid-tourist season.
“We must get shoppers back into our shops soon if Inverness is to continue to have the attractive and vibrant city centre that locals and visitors expect and enjoy.”
He said the Getting Inverness Back to Business campaign, together with the new national Scotland Loves Local campaign, had a really important job to do.
“The FSB will always support initiatives that seek to keep trade local and the beating hearts of our communities alive.”
