Salisbury recovery from Novichok poisonings and now Covid-19

Before long, a major incident was declared.

March 4, 2018, was the day the eyes of the world turned to our city.

While others across the globe will only look back fleetingly this week, the nerve agent poisonings will forever be remembered by locals - some of whom are still dealing with the impacts of what happened.

When former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal were poisoned with Novichok, initially there was confusion - it was some time before details of the substance, the likely attackers or the details of their plan were uncovered.

Major incident attended by emergency services in the Maltings, Salisbury

The Salisbury community has since been widely celebrated for its strength and resilience throughout its recovery, with the Covid-19 impact described as a “double whammy” for the city, but those dramatic months will never be forgotten by businesses, families and emergency workers.

Several areas and businesses were forced to shut during 2018, including the Maltings, restaurants including Zizzi and Prezzo, Bishops Mill, and Elizabeth Gardens.

READ: PM vows to 'continue to seek justice' for victims of Novichok poisonings

The closed Zizzi on Castle Street, Salisbury

Debra Franks, sales advisor at B&R Textiles, a business at the centre of the first Novichok cordon, said the situation for the store was similar to what the retail sector is going through now, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It was the same as what we’re doing now but we know we will be busy when we go back - we’re really lucky to have such lovely customers,” she said.

Reflecting on what happened three years ago, Debra said: “It was a lot of waiting around with nothing happening and waiting to be told what was going on and what to do.

“Financially we had taken a hit as we hadn’t been getting that footfall, but the difference was during Novichok our services could resume elsewhere, and we could let customers in through the back when the area was closed.

"We weren’t restricted back then and we could go to peoples’ houses."

“Customers have always been so good and understanding, they waited for us then and are doing the same now,” Debra added.

Members of the press reporting from the cordoned off Maltings

The city has been in an ongoing recovery since the final sites were confirmed as ‘Novichok-free’ in 2019, but any further progress and milestones were halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Comparing the Novichok crisis to the impact of coronavirus, Salisbury MP John Glen said the two global events have been “a double whammy” for Salisbury, but the city will recover again.

He said: “Salisbury will never forget the events of early 2018 - the trauma of finding ourselves at the centre of an international incident and the loss and injury that struck at the heart of our community. It is right that we pause to reflect as another anniversary passes.

“There is no doubt that the effects of the pandemic, coming hard on the heels of a hard-won recovery from the Novichok attack, has been a ‘double whammy’ for the city’s retail heart.

“But we have recovered before – we have shown that we have what it takes to do so again.”

READ: What experts remember as the worst moments of Novichok poisonings

The closed Bishops Mill

Alex Dawson, business unit director at Greene King, operators of Bishops Mill, said: “Looking back it seems hard to believe that three years have passed since the tragic events of 2018.

"It was such a relief to reopen the doors of the Bishops Mill in April 2019 and never in a million years did we imagine that less than a year later we would have to shut again, this time in the face of the devastating spread of Covid-19.

"Thanks to our customers and the people of Salisbury we were able to restore the heart and soul of our pub after reopening in 2019, and then again in 2020 – so we’re in no doubt that together we can come back stronger than ever in 2021.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to celebrate with us and create new memories that will be a lasting legacy for the Bishops Mill.”

Rollestone Street closure in July, 2018

Mr Glen added: “As a result of the Novichok recovery efforts, Salisbury has strong links in place between stakeholders across the city – a legacy of Novichok but now an excellent tool to aid our post-pandemic return to normality.

“The already established working relationships between the council, BID, Chamber of Commerce, arts and educational establishments, prominent employers and the cathedral will stand us in good stead to face the future with confidence.”

Get more Salisbury news.

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.