What’s ahead: The future of business in the north
As 2020 gets under way, Peter Ranscombe gazes into his crystal ball to explore important milestones coming up in the year ahead
Inverness Chamber of Commerce
North passengers facing Christmas trains ‘nightmare’
Inverness Chamber of Commerce has hit out at ScotRail for axing reservations on services to and from the north, describing it as “another slap in the face for rail passengers".
Northern Scottish cities ‘best to live and work in’
Inverness and Aberdeen are ranked top in Scotland, and among the top 10 locations overall in league tables of the best cities to live and work in the UK.
Stewart Nicol: Ensuring north workforce is on the front line
It is almost six months since the relaunch of the Open4Business Highlands and Islands (04B H&I) online portal and it is clear the facility is proving its worth in providing Highland companies with major contract opportunities.
Revised plans lodged for controversial Inverness hotel
Revised plans for a controversial 170-bed hotel on the banks of the River Ness have been lodged to the Highland Council in an effort to reduce the “visual impact” on the city’s landscape.
Inverness’s Victorian Market in line for £1.5m transformation
An ambitious £1.5million plan to revamp Inverness’ Victorian Market into a 21st century visitor experience - to include late-night shopping and eating - is to go before city councillors this week.
Stewart Nicol: Entrepreneur’s tale is impressive and inspiring
In the coming weeks, work will start on a multi-million-pound development for Inverness that will bring more than 100 new jobs to the city.
The Range: 97 staff recruited ahead of next week’s Inverness opening
Employment numbers at a new Highland superstore have increased beyond previous estimates as the shop prepares to open next week.
Chamber of Commerce announce plans for new business think tank
A new think tank which will publicise key economic issues and solutions, whilst delivering thought leadership for the Highland and Islands, has been announced by Inverness Chamber of Commerce at its annual Highland Business Dinner.
The Range to create 80 jobs as it opens first superstore in Inverness
The Range has announced it will open its first Highlands superstore within weeks, bringing 80 jobs to Inverness.
Luxury multi-million pound hotel to be created at Inverness Airport
A multi-million-pound luxury hotel is to open next to Inverness Airport this year - creating scores of new jobs and a providing a massive economic boost to the region.
Revealed: Fort George could become quango’s new national HQ
Bosses at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have discussed shock plans to move the quango’s national headquarters from Edinburgh to the Highlands.
Roundtable to discuss immigration after Brexit
The post-Brexit future of thousands of people from the EU working in Scotland will be the focus of a meeting between north business leaders and the Scottish Government’s Europe Minister Ben Macpherson next week.
Inverness wins bid to host piping Euro championships
Inverness and the Highlands will see a multi-million pound boost by becoming the new home of the European Pipe Band Championships for the next three years.
Secrets revealed to rise of global clothing brand
The entrepreneur behind luxury women’s clothing brand Monreal London will share the story of its meteoric rise to prominence in the world of sports fashion at a prestigious business event at Gleneagles next month.
“Vital” Eastgate centre revamp warmly welcomed
A major revamp of Inverness Eastgate Centre will see new businesses bring dozens of new jobs to drive the success of the shopping mall and Inverness city centre for years to come.
West Link road predicted to spark Inverness economic boom
Business leaders believe Inverness is on the brink of an economic transformation after a key milestone in the £55million West Link project was reached.
Business group calls for clampdown on bad parking policies
A leading business group has warned that badly managed parking is hampering efforts to turn around Scotland’s high streets.
North business chiefs call for stability and clarity
Business leaders in the north and north-east have appealed for stability and called for clarity from political leaders to boost the economy in the wake of the general election.
How Caley Jags relegation could have knock-on effect for city economy
Inverness Caledonian Thistle's relegation from the top flight of football could have a knock-on effect for the city's economy.
Highland business community gathers for flagship event
The Highlands' "thriving" business community was celebrated at a sell-out black tie event in Inverness last night.
British Airways hails success of re-born Inverness to Heathrow service
Revived daily flights between Inverness and London's Heathrow have been hailed as a huge success - with 75,000 passengers using the service in its first year.
Call for “step change” to improve Highland rail service
An Inverness business leader has called for a "step change" to improve rail services on the Highland Main Line (HML) between the city and Scotland's central belt.
TheEssay: What makes the North so entrepreneurial?
I reckon that Fenella Renwick and Kirsty Scobie have picked one of the most picturesque locations in the North of Scotland for The Seafood Shack. From their pitch behind the ferry terminal in Ullapool, the two young entrepreneurs are serving crabs, langoustines, scallops and other local seafood to locals and tourists alike, just a short walk away from the beautiful Loch Broom.
Tax hike for self-employed workers angers Highland business leaders
Chancellor Philip Hammond faced an angry backlash yesterday in the Highlands and Islands, where thousands of people are set to be hit by his tax hike for self-employed workers.
North firms invited to share in cruise ship bonanza
Port of Cromarty Firth (PCF) will host a cruising workshop next month for the benefit of firms throughout the north.
Highland firms urged to make the most of £10million cruise ship business
Businesses interested in making the most of cruise ships coming to port in the Cromarty Firth have been invited to a seminar next month.
Inverness director to chair young people’s skills programme
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Inverness and Central Highland has appointed Cairngorm Group director Chris Dowling as chair of its regional board.
‘Move to separate Openreach and BT will make little difference’
A new move to make BT legally separate its Openreach network arm will fall short of delivering the benefits customers need, a Highland MP has warned.
Plans unveiled for £6.4million transformation of Inverness hotel
A top north hotel has unveiled multimillion-pound plans to transform a historic site in the heart of Inverness into new up-market accommodation.
Business leaders look for calm amid the Brexit chaos
Scottish business chiefs moved quickly to calm nerves yesterday after UK voters chose to quit the European Union.
Nicol putting north firms on the map
Stewart Nicol’s job fits him like a glove.