Do you ever feel like perhaps someone has it in for you?

I should imagine the business owners of Salisbury feel like that at the moment.

 

Salisbury has always been a major tourist attraction. People come here to see the medieval city, the cathedral, as a base for visiting Stonehenge. I would go so far as to say Salisbury has thrived in the past. I would also say that of all the cities in Wiltshire, Salisbury is probably the most busy and lucrative. 

 

I think Wiltshire Council know that too.

I don't think they like it.

I don't think they like us.

I don't think I'm the only person who thinks this.

 

Have you read Harry Potter? What's going on here is a bit like what goes on at the beginning of each of Rowling's famous books. Uncle Vernon (Wiltshire Council) dislikes Harry Potter (Salisbury) for no discernible reason. He lets Harry stay in his house, but in a cupboard under the stairs. He doesn't bother to hide his contempt. Meanwhile, Dudley (Trowbridge, perhaps?) can do no wrong. He has no observable redeeming qualities, but is still the favourite. He often gains from Harry's misfortune.

 

I've nothing against Trowbridge, or anywhere else in the county; I'm sure all these places are lovely. But Salisbury appears to be bankrolling their loveliness. We pay ridiculous parking charges. Our businesses have been brought to their knees by that and the fall in visitors to the city caused by works first on the market square and now on streets around the city ready for bus stops.

 

Whilst speaking to someone recently, he remarked that in Romsey, parking is free after 4pm. When he goes to Romsey in the afternoons, most of the children he sees are wearing uniforms from Salisbury schools - because their parents pick them up from school, and would rather have the expense of driving to and from Romsey, than come into Salisbury city centre for their shopping.

Didn't it used to be the other way around? Didn't people used to go out of their way to come to Salisbury?

I've also seen comments on Facebook lately suggesting that the policy makers have more power than sense. They certainly have more money, now that they've voted to give themselves an increase in allowances!

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