PARKING will be free in Salisbury from this Saturday until further notice to help local businesses recover from the impact of the spy poisoning investigation.

Wiltshire Council had previously rejected calls to suspend parking charges in the city in the aftermath of the nerve agent attack.

But after feedback and from local businesses and pressure from Salisbury MP John Glen, the council has reversed its position.

Anyone using a short-stay car park will still have a maximum stay of three hours of free parking, so that the spaces can be used by as many people as possible.

Park and ride will also continue to be free of charge for anyone boarding from one of the five city terminals.

Mr Glen said: "After listening to retailers in the city centre tell me about a drop in footfall, I made the case to Wiltshire Council that we needed to suspend charging in Salisbury’s car parks.

"We need to do everything we can to increase the number of people visiting our shops and restaurants.

"I’m very pleased with the latest announcement as it shows that the authorities are listening to concerns and taking concrete steps to boost the local economy.”

This initiative is part of a multi-agency approach to promote the message that Salisbury is open for business.

The following council-run car parks will be free from Saturday:

Three hours (short stay)

  • Brown Street East
  • Brown Street West
  • Central
  • Five Rivers Leisure Centre
  • Lush House
  • Maltings
  • Salt Lane

All day (long stay)

  • Central
  • College Street
  • Culver Street
  • Millstream
  • Southampton Road

The privately-owned multi-storey car park at the Old George Mall will also be included in the scheme.

On-street, metered parking will NOT be free.

Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott said: “We know people are rightly concerned about Salisbury, and it is important that we encourage residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful and historic city and to promote that it is very much business as usual.

“We recognise that free parking will help increase visitor and shopper footfall in the city.”

Labour councillor Ricky Rogers, who suggested the idea at a public meeting on Thursday only for it to be rejected, said: “Having served as councillor for over 30 years I obviously know the feeling of businesses and residents better than any councillor in Trowbridge.

"I’m happy to continue giving Wiltshire Council constructive and practical ideas.”

We previously reported that parking in New Canal and to the rear of City Hall would be free for 24 hours.

The council has asked us to remove this information as it was sent out in error.