THE owners of a family-run guest house in Salisbury are calling it a day after 31 years and moving on to a “new adventure”.

Margaret and Brian James started the Cricket Field House bed and breakfast in Wilton Road in 1986.

“It started as a little place and we built it up and built it up,” said Margaret, who has been heavily involved in tourism in the city and was vice-chairman of Tourism 2000. “We are a long established business in the city which started from nothing when we came here.”

But, she says the time is now right for them to step away from the business. “We need to retire, we’ve been doing it for a long time. We are very fortunate to have a really good reputation in the city and have always worked with other establishments,” she added. “I am really proud of what we have achieved.”

Margaret says during their time running the business tourism has changed. She says when they first started the guest house they would get business from people passing through but it has now moved towards the internet and social media, which she says is a “different ball game”.

“You have got to be there doing that and you have got to adapt to change.”

This is not the end for the bed and breakfast which will continue under new ownership. Margaret and Brian exchange contracts with the new owners at the end of next month. She said: "We wish them well and all the success we have had."

Margaret says they will miss the interaction with people and being involved in the tourism industry. “Tourism, especially for me, is something I’m really passionate about. It is so key in this city.”

The couple’s last day will be September 29. “It is going to be a strange feeling,” said Margaret. “It is the right time now and we move on to a new adventure.”

The couple have not quite decided what they will be doing in their retirement but Margaret says the “world is our oyster.”