Funds have been released to transform a visitor centre in Inverness

On Wednesday, Highland Councillors agreed to support the re-branding and re-launch of the Inverness Floral Hall.

They approved some £39,000 in funds towards a development plan for the initiative. There was also support of a business plan to rename the Floral Hall as 'Inverness Botanic Gardens' and redevelop it as a visitor attraction.

The proposals for the £111,000 project would see the extension of the centre's café area and improving kitchen facilities to increase and enhance the capacity of the café and to enable the introduction of the sale of an expanded range of goods. In turn, this would allow Highland Life Highland to work with tour operators to attract higher volumes of visitors to Inverness.


In addition to the £39,000 contribution from Highland Council, other funds for the project have been secured from the Inverness Common Good Fund (£39,000) and the private sector (£33,000). High Life Highland will also invest £16,000 to market and promote the re-developed and re-branded facility.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair of the Council Adult and Children's Services Committee, said: "The plans to revitalise the former Inverness Floral Hall will provide a welcome boost to the visitor attractions complement within Inverness."

(JP/MH)