What does 2024 hold for Inverness?
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Tough challenges will continue for many Inverness businesses in 2024 although there are some glimmers of hope.
That is the verdict of business leaders in the region as the curtain is drawn on 2023, a year marked by weak UK economic growth – and which is expected to remain subdued.
While the Highlands is not immune to factors such as low consumer spending, high energy prices and reduced spending on public services, the planned Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport is expected to bring 10,000 jobs and 6000 further afield with £3.5bn investment over 25 years.
Many charities have also been reflecting on a challenging year but continue to adapt and plan new innovations to meet the ever-growing demand on services.
In Inverness, meanwhile, a range of projects and developments continue including the transformation of Inverness Castle into a tourist attraction which is due to open in 2025 while one of the most divisive issues in the city – the proposed revamp of Academy Street to make it more pedestrian and cyclist friendly – will undoubtedly rumble on.
- Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport moves into new headquarters
- Controversial Academy Street plans approved by Highland councillors
- Economy will be better in 2024
Colin Marr, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said the opportunities coming to the region from the free port are "enormous" and should see a real expansion in employment and opportunities for many business sectors.
But he also sounded a warning.
"Unfortunately, from a business perspective, the challenges for 2024 look very similar to those for 2023," he said.
"Employers are struggling to fill vacancies, there aren’t enough houses and our transport links by road, rail and air are not good enough.
"These three factors are really holding back the development of our economy and we’ll need to work quickly and collaboratively to ensure that they don’t slow down the delivery of the free port opportunities."
Inverness economist Tony Mackay did not expect the Highlands economic growth rate in 2024 to be significantly different from the Scottish forecast of 0.7 per cent – higher than the 2023 estimate of 0.2 per cent but still well below the long term average of 2.5 per cent a year.
"There are two main reasons for the current poor economic performance – firstly, the continuing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and secondly, the high energy prices resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war," he said.
"Those have resulted in low consumer spending.
"Public bodies, including Highland Council, have also had to reduce their expenditure on many services."
The industries in the Highlands he expected to do well in 2024 included the Scotch whisky industry, which was going through an excellent growth period, and renewable energy.
"In contrast, those industries dependent on consumer spending such as retailing, tourism and service providers, will inevitably have another disappointing year in 2024," he said.
Scotland's first bicycle mayor Emily Williams who serves Inverness is determined in 2024 to build on the success of the region's first "play street".
Held in September and organised as a collaboration between Velocity and Crown Connects, it took place in Charles Street.
"It was such an uplifting morning hearing the sound of children playing freely, introducing them to new street games and all the chalk drawings," she said.
"This coming year, we are hoping to repeat this on a monthly basis, but there are still a few hurdles to navigate with arranging the traffic management, but we are looking for funding to train up some volunteers to be able to do this.
"There are so many benefits to running play streets - encouraging outdoor active play right on children’s doorsteps, building community connections and encouraging active citizenship."
She added this year will see the completion of cycle lane on Riverside Way, and she will continue to support the development of the Academy Street scheme by encouraging engagement with any consultations.
The last year has been one of change for Inverness Women's Aid (IWA) which found itself at the centre of controversy after it emerged the 12-flat refuge was under threat of closure.
As the IWA team looks ahead to 2024, new manager Lisa Buchanan outlined planned developments including campaigns and courses for women affected by domestic abuse at any point in her life and regular events for clients and the wider community to come together.
"Our campaign focus this year will be on the impact and effect of the family court process," she said.
"We are taking part in Scottish Women’s Aid access to legal services pilot to establish the needs of women in remote and rural areas and we are setting up a client advisory group to feed in the views of our clients to our own and other important areas of policy and decision making."
Highland mental health charity Mikeysline hopes its Bee the Change campaign aimed at encouraging everyone to get involved through their workplace, school or in their community will make a difference in raising awareness of mental health and breaking down the stigma, making it easier for people to reach out for support.
During 2023, Mikeysline opened new Hive centres, established new family support services and supported more workplaces and schools.
Chief executive Emily Stokes said there were plans to be out on the road more across Highland and Moray, raising awareness of the charity's text-based, call back and online support.
"Whilst back in Inverness and in Easter Ross, we are very excited to be involved in launching a new support programme, alongside a peer support group for women who are menopausal and peri-menopausal, with further details coming soon," she said.
