WINDOW paintings and rainbow themed pavement stickers are two of the ways in which Salisbury is preparing for the reopening of its businesses.

With less than two weeks until non-essential retail shops are permitted to reopen, businesses in the city centre have come together to spread the important message of shopping local to its customers.

This is through the #ShopSalisbury campaign, launched by the Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID).

In partnership with Salisbury artist Michele Millidge, who is painting special messages, the new hashtag and rainbows in shop windows, the campaign aims to emphasise the importance of shopping local, in order to support independent businesses affected by Covid-19.

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Michele said: “As a local resident, I’m so passionate about Salisbury and I want to see it thrive. When I came up with the idea of spreading ‘shop local’ messages through window art, I reached out to the BID for its support.

"I hope the messages will remind people to support local businesses, but I also hope they will put a smile on people’s faces and bring a little bit of joy to their day as they walk by.”

Kara Rogers, marketing and communications manager for Salisbury BID, said that the team is working hard to make sure the city centre is "clean and safe for residents and visitors, but also welcoming and vibrant", in time for businesses to reopen from June 15.

She added: "We want to ensure people have a pleasant experience when visiting, so they’ll come back time and time again to support our businesses.

“Businesses have told us the support they’re receiving from local people is overwhelming, and we hope the messages on the windows will inspire people to continue to shop local and do their bit to save our city centre.”

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The BID is also working with Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire Council to install rainbow stickers on pavements across the city, to guide shoppers safely, manage queues outside shops and enforce social distancing.

The first batch of stickers were installed yesterday, and more will appear as footfall increases and more 'problem areas' become clear.

“As people start to return to the city, gaining their trust and confidence is vital. We want people to come into the city to enjoy our outside spaces and to shop with our local businesses, but it’s really important people feel safe and reassured so that they have a pleasant experience and will continue to come back," said Robin McGowan, chief executive of Salisbury BID.

He said: “If people identify areas in the city centre that need our intervention to help keep the community safe, we’re encouraging them to get in touch directly with the city council and the BID so we can quickly address the issue.”

Shops anticipating a busy opening can get in touch with Salisbury BID if they would like pavement stickers to help manage queues.

Jeremy Nettle, leader of Salisbury City Council, said the rainbows should provide "reassurance and positivity to the community", adding: “As shops start to reopen we’re expecting more footfall in the city centre and it’s really important that the community know we’re thinking about their safety.

“I think the pavement stickers are a great initiative to help keep residents safe and remind people to keep a safe distance."

Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council, added: “It’s vital we support our local businesses as they start to get back up and running and these vibrant pavement stickers will give them and their customers confidence that they can shop safely. More safety measures will be implemented in the city soon.”