Inverness buildings set for makeover

Mike Smith

INVERNESS city centre buildings could be set for a face lift if an application for cash is fruitful.

Inverness Business Improvement District (BID) will find out if their request for funds from the city common good fund has been successful.

The aptly named "Gutter Project" is proposed as a joint scheme between Inverness BID and the Highland Council, as part of the Cleaner Inverness campaign. It aims to tidy up unsightly growth on the upper areas of city centre buildings filled with grass and trees to improve the overall look of the city.

Inverness BID has earmarked £8,000 of its funds towards the project and the application for the balance of £16,000 will go before the Inverness City Committee on Monday.

BID manager Mike Smith said: "The gutter project is very exciting for the city. There is an unacceptable growth in the gutters of these buildings and we just want to tidy it up as people do remark on it. BID’s core funding comes from the BID levy on property owners and tenants alike and we see this project as a good use of these funds."

He added: "With the Barclays Scottish Open Golf coming up and the peak tourist season we want the City to look as good as possible to make a good impression on our vital tourism market. We do hope the councillors will support this project and funding, which will make such a difference to the appearance of Inverness city centre."

This project would follow on from the work completed in Baron Taylor, Drummond and Lombard Streets last year, which was also a joint initiative by Inverness BID and the Highland Council.