About

NICE (Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise) was formed in 2010 as a company limited by guarantee to facilitate the regeneration of Nairn Town Centre and its surrounding areas. It has recently been recognised by Scottish Government as a Community Body under the “Right to Buy” legislation, and is in the process of identifying robust business cases to fund the purchase of properties so that relevant “community assets” can be retained and enhanced for the benefit of the local community.

The company  has 13 directors who have agreed to serve without payment for their services and already has the support of just over 1000 members.  It has set itself the  target of increasing membership to at least 1400, representing about 10% of the Nairn population. Groups such as the Association of Nairn Businesses; and Auldearn Community Council have joined as Associate members. NICE has developed a Vision for Nairn underpinned by a Business Plan that seeks to find ways of achieving our aims and freeing up the value locked in local property and assets including the assets of the Nairn Common Good Fund.

We want Nairn to follow the example set by the Inverness Common Good Fund, not to sell off its assets, but to use these to generate a healthy annual income and to maximise the financial return to the area by using these assets as leverage and income generating revenue as a legacy for future generations.

We can only do this with the support of the Highland Council and in particular our 4 Nairn Local Elected members who are, as Common Good Trustees, the “stewards of the Nairn Common Good assets”.

We also need  support and buy in from our  local community councils as well as other bodies such as Nairnshire Farming Society and other local asset owners who are key stakeholders in Nairn.

We see the way forward as Partnership but meaningful and productive partnerships are based on mutual trust and respect. For too long this has been lacking between statutory and voluntary agencies in the Nairn area. We need to strengthen local collaboration if progress is to be made.

In 2015 NICE helped facilitate development of a community led Nairn Town Centre Plan

In 2017/8 NICE carried out the preparatory work required to  establish Nairn BID in 2018, employing a consultant to get local businesses on board, research local business community needs, and conduct a successful vote to secure  BID funding for 5 years.

In 2020 NICE incorporated the local  Team Hamish charity  which operates separately  under NICE s legal structure.  Team Hamish has co funded with Highland Council  the very popular Splashpad at the Links , and is now working on investing locally raised funds to deliver Team Hamish  Phase Two improvements around the Putting Green area

In 2023 NICE is leading  a year long  public engagement process to develop a community led Local Place Plan for the Nairn area, and chairs a steering group supported by local community councils and business groups, with back up from  Highland Council local development planning team and independent charity Planning Aid Scotland. 

The Directors of NICE are:

Alastair Noble (Chair)
Sam Hey (Treasurer)                                           
Mandy Lawson (Secretary)
John Hart
Hazel Clark                                                   
Hamish Bain
Magnus Swanson
Steve Westbrook                                               
Sharon Ellen                                                 
Rev Steven Manders                                           
Caroline Gordon                                               
Adrian Johnstone                                             
Henry Sleigh

Contact us by email: enquiries@nicenairn.org.uk

New NICE Articles (2012)

Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise is registered as Limited Company – No. 388110
Scottish charity number SC042118
Registered address: Ritson Young, 28 High Street, Nairn, IV12 4AU