CONTROVERSIAL plans to move the city's information centre have been postponed after pressure from the public.

Salisbury City Council announced today that the decision, to move the tourist information facility from its current site at the back of the Guildhall in Fish Row to the front of the building, was being postponed until next Spring.

The plans sparked a public backlash, with many raising concerns about the suitability of the front of the Guildhall as it is regularly used for private venues and has no disabled access.

A petition calling for the council to revoke the decision has gained more than 6,000 signatures.

A spokesman for the council said: "The City Council has listened to the concerns of residents, petitioners, those associated with tourism in the city plus those involved in the Salisbury recovery, and have decided that, given the current concerns around a drop in visitors stemming from the second Novichok incident, to defer any action to move the tourist information from the rear to the front of the Guildhall until the spring of 2019.

"At that time, we will review visitor numbers from Visit Wiltshire, footfall figures from the Salisbury BID, seek the view of those involved in the recovery on the status of the local economy, and consult with other interested parties, before any further decisions are taken.

"The city in the last few months has suffered greatly, and it is clear, now more than ever, that the recovery will take longer than was first thought.

"The current environment at Shopmobility is no longer good enough for our service users nor our staff and we refurbish this area as planned.

"We are happy to talk to those groups or individuals who still have concerns over a cup of tea at the Guildhall at a time of their convenience."