SALISBURY Business Improvement District (BID) is aiming to encourage as many shoppers as possible to spend their money in the city and see what it has to offer.

It has embarked on a number of initiatives to promote the city, including an advertising promotion targeting shoppers locally and as far afield as Basingstoke, Warminster, Andover and Southampton, and special Christmas wrap on empty shops with seasonal graphics promoting the city.

There is also a Christmas Market, starting Thursday.

Steve Godwin, the business manager for the BID, said: “We are extremely proud of our wonderful city and in our first 18-months as a BID, we have spent a great deal of time, listening to ideas and suggestions from our businesses. From a retail perspective both the 180 independent shops and also the mix of national chains sit comfortably together and have a strong voice.

“I hope that they will see the benefits of our efforts this year.

We also have a huge number of cafes and restaurants as well as some great pubs and we mustn’t forget the many great visitor attractions.

This year has been great for our city, our spectacular cathedral has a huge programme of events leading up to Christmas and with great museums, and a spectacular Playhouse, our City Hall and Arts Centre have all published their programme up to Christmas.

Hundreds of coaches from as far afield as Birmingham, Weston- super-Mare and Oxford as well as more locally from Winchester, Blandford, Dorchester and Weymouth are all booked to visit the Christmas Market.

BID’s aim is to encourage as many visitors to the city as possible and to encourage them to spend money whilst they are here. It is hoped that those who live in a 30/40 mile radius with a choice of shopping destinations will decide to come to Salisbury this year. Businesses have been very clear and specific in their request of BID, and I think that we have done them proud.”

Culver Street shoppers car park is free after 3pm and Sundays.