SHOPPERS flocked to Salisbury in their thousands on Saturday as Wiltshire Council made all its car parks free until further notice.

The move is part of a major effort to boost the city’s economy in response to a downturn in trade after the spy poisoning earlier this month.

The scheme got off to a shaky start when some shoppers parked without paying before the charges were lifted on Saturday and received penalty notices. Others picked up tickets for parking in on-street bays which are not included.

The council has since said it will scrap tickets issued in its car parks from Thursday, March 22, for motorists who were otherwise parked legally but without a ticket. Those who parked on-street without a ticket will still have to pay.

Journal reader Ron Colquhoun from Amesbury, wrote: “I wonder if parking charges should be suspended indefinitely to save the council operational costs and to improve trade and retail sales.”

And Harry Brockway, from Salisbury, wrote: “It was really wonderful to see and enjoy crowds of people with happy faces, shopping and sight seeing, something I haven’t seen for many, many years.

“There were queues of cars waiting to get into the central car park to try and find a parking space - usually that is no problem at all. It was quite an emotional sight and brought back happy memories.”

There was a positive reaction on social media too.

Pritchetts Butchers posted a photograph of their empty meat counter and said: “I think we all now know the real reason shoppers have avoided the city centre...ridiculous parking charges.”

Harvey Mills tweeted: “Brown St and Central car parks full with cars queuing for spaces. Great to see so many people in town.”

In a tweet to Wiltshire Council, Mark Stevens-Powell said: “Surely the successful free parking in Salisbury is a wake up call for you to decrease prices. People want to shop here but when you increase the parking prices it literally drives them away.”

Council-run car parks in Salisbury, plus the Old George Mall multi-storey, will remain free until further notice.