First Novichok, then Covid. Salisbury businesses – perhaps more than most – have had a rough time of it.

A multi-million pound scheme to pedestrianise parts of Salisbury has been suspended “indefinitely” after support fell away.

Last week businesses called for traffic restrictions to be lifted until the new year. And a change of leadership led to a change of policy at Salisbury City Council.

A major planning document which will help shape the future of Salisbury city centre has been unanimously endorsed by Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning committee.

The committee meeting was the final stage in the development of The Salisbury Central Area Framework (CAF), which over the last couple of years has involved significant engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and two public consultations on the proposals.

Salisbury businesses are being urged to have their say on a scheme to pedestrianise the city centre.

The People Friendly Project will see a number of streets in the city centre prioritised for walkers and cyclists between certain times of the day.

Salisbury BID has launched a range of social distancing posters for businesses in the city centre to use to communicate key safety messages as lockdown conditions are eased.

The posters – which can be reproduced from a desktop printer – carry messages and guidance including ‘Keep a 2-metre distance’, ‘Queue here’, ‘Wash your hands’ and ‘Avoid shopping in groups’.