WHEN I moved back to Salisbury, I wandered around and found much has changed since I lived here almost 20 years ago.

Some things for the better, and some not so much.

While the beautiful old buildings are still the pegs I hang my city pride on, there are some fancy-pants new arrivals which are a welcome addition.

I've never come across a venue like The Fisherton Mill - when I go in I don't know whether I want toasted brioche, a chainmail bracelet, or a facial, but I know I like it.

The Lazy Cow is another gem - well if it’s good enough for Craig Revel- Horwood (as mentioned in his Salisbury Christmas Lights switch-on speech), then it's good enough for me, daaaahling.

I was also thrilled that the Rai D'Or has been reborn.

During my teenage years it was a rough pub which eventually went the way of the medieval brothel that once stood on the site, and shut down.

Although the beautifullyrestored Thai restaurant shares its name with that house of ill-repute, the vibe is thankfully now more wonton than wanton.

However, it wasn't all good news.

Unfortunately many high street businesses are long gone, but none that I was sadder about than my childhood favourite.

When I first came back I was giddy that Brian Leonard was still open for business, and still selling the marbles and fake bloodcapsules of yore.

So imagine my dismay when I went to buy stocking-fillers for my goddaughters Daisy and Rosie before Christmas, and found it boarded up. I felt like falling to the floor in disbelief, or clutching at passers-by, anguishing: “What happened?”

I even stumbled wide-eyed into Casa Fina to ask what they knew.

The Maltings also feels a little unloved, so it's good to hear that new developments are afoot. The waterside location seems at the moment underused, so I'm hoping that restaurants and cafés may be part of the plans, but if another hideous pub opens which sells jugs of ‘blue’ for £10 then I will have to consider moving back to London.