FOOTFALL continues to be down in Salisbury as the city works to get more people back into the High Street.

It is “possible” that new plans to dismantle the Skripal’s former home would cause further negative impact on footfall to the city, according to Bob Jones, vice chairman of Wiltshire Council’s environment select committee.

A million fewer people visited the city in 2018 compared to2017. The poisoning of two people in Amesbury and subsequent death of Dawn Sturgess, a BBC Panorama episode about the attack and today’s news that Sergei Skripal’s house is due to be dismantled, have all had a direct impact on footfall, according to statistics revealed by the council.

Cabinet member for the recovery, Pauline Church said: “Footfall is 16.3 per cent down compared to 2017. Footfall fell in March and since then really not recovered in the way we hoped.”

Speaking to the Environment Select Committee in Trowbridge, Cllr Church explained where Wiltshire Council had spent over £4m to boost footfall and keep businesses open.

However the council came under criticism from Salisbury councillor Brian Dalton, who said extra buses should have been funded while key walkways were shut down during the investigation.

Cllr Dalton, who represents Harnham and Salisbury, said extra buses should have been put on while the popular Town Path was closed from July 5 -28. He said: “The walk around while the Town Path was shut was a considerable distance. Perhaps some of these funds ought to have been used for buses to be put on for this route. It makes mockery of money given by council.”Cllr Church was unaware of the suggestion and said: “Of the £1.5m spent from reserves, most was spent on supporting the free Park and Ride initiative and free parking initiatives. Park and Ride is free and Free after 3pm parking is set to continue until Easter. This has been extended to help the local economy in the difficult trading period after Christmas.” When asked whether £1.5m spent from Wiltshire Council reserves will be recovered from central Government, Cabinet member for the recovery, Pauline Church said: “Efforts are being made to try get more money and the Government has a focus on us but there are other ways this can benefit us other than financially. Wiltshire is higher up the agenda for central Government and that is where we will get benefit." Around £3.2m has so far been given to Wiltshire Council by the Government.

She said: “The majority of the Government money to the council has been spent on supporting businesses. We have offered £1.5m to businesses in Salisbury and Amesbury where they can evidence they have had a decline in business, as well as offering revenue support. We have helped 120 businesses in these ways. This was to prevent making staff redundant and help continue trading.”