It's the most wonderful time of the year

As the song says ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’, Christmas is fast approaching and this week Salisbury opens its winter wonderland to welcome in the festive season.

Our beautiful city has become used to being in the news over these last nine months so it’s good to see that spotlight is focusing on Christmas in Salisbury and all it offers over the festive period and new year.

The city was featured in The Observer last Sunday. I was interviewed and, hopefully, did my bit to promote #ChristmasinSalisbury and encourage shoppers and visitors to visit

Wiltshire Council has suspended Sunday car parking charges in its car parks, not just in Salisbury, but across the county.

Here in Salisbury we’re also promoting the free after 3pm parking and all day free parking at the five park and ride sites, Monday to Saturday. It all helps to bring people back into the city, Amesbury and south Wiltshire.

I was asked by The Observer reporter what the mood was like in the city. If the comments on social media are an indication, it’s clear there’s a positive buzz building with a lot of excitement and anticipation about the ice rink.

It’s been exciting to watch the rink and the Christmas market being installed ready for the opening on Thursday this week

As I write this, tickets are selling fast for the ice rink with more than 3,000 already sold.

There are some great themed events from a 1980s DJ night (time to dig out the legwarmers), a Christmas jumper day and Skate with Santa sessions. These are sure to be a huge hit with our younger residents. They run from 22 December to Christmas Eve.

Places are limited so I’d advise you book now at Salisbury Christmas Market. I’m looking forward to getting my skates on and having a go.

Countdown to Christmas

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Last week thousands of visitors saw the lights switched on by Olympic Gold medallist Colin Jackson in the city centre bringing a twinkle and festivity that is very much needed this year in Salisbury, Amesbury and south Wiltshire.

It’s just over a week - Thursday 29 November – to the official opening of Salisbury’s winter wonderland Christmas market and ice rink in the Guildhall Square. This year promises to be a successful festive season for all businesses and retailers in Salisbury and south Wiltshire.

But it’s not just about Christmas, there is a recognition that Wiltshire’s towns and rural communities need support all year round.  Wiltshire Council announced this week that it is allocating £8 million to support local high streets and rural communities.

The allocation of this funding reflects what’s important to local communities and it also recognises the pressures on high streets. Funding from central government and Wiltshire Council will deliver a 12-month programme of improvements.  This includes repairing potholes, improving white lining, removing weeds, improving kerbs and pavements, verges and upgrading road signs - the things that matter to our community.

We’re also suspending Sunday parking charges in all our car parks throughout the county including Salisbury and Amesbury. Encouraging shoppers and visitors is important across Wiltshire but particularly so in south Wiltshire and in the lead up to Christmas for all our local high streets.

As it’s just over a month to Christmas, it must be time to get in the festive mood. A visit to your local high street or Salisbury’s Christmas market is just what’s needed to find those unusual gifts. Don’t forget if you’re planning a visit to Salisbury to book tickets for a skate on the ice rink. You can find out more about the Christmas activities on offer on the Salisbury Christmas Market website.

Counting down to the Armed Forces Day National Event 2019

Following an emotional and reflective week of remembrance, it couldn’t be more fitting and timely to start the countdown to the Armed Forces Day National Event 2019, which is being held in Salisbury.

This major nationally acclaimed event will be a unique opportunity to recognise and celebrate our armed forces and all they do to keep us safe and protect our country.

It’s also our opportunity to pay tribute and say thank you to all those who have played their part in helping Salisbury, Amesbury and south Wiltshire back to get back to normal after the events of this extraordinary year. We’ll be recognising and thanking the specialist military teams, the emergency services and all the organisations that managed the incident and subsequent clean-up and return to normal life.

It will bring a fantastic boost to Salisbury and south Wiltshire and will showcase our beautiful city and Wiltshire to the world.

I was honoured to be playing my part last Friday morning when the Armed Forces Day National Event 2019 was launched nationally from the Guildhall Square in Salisbury. Find out more about the Armed Forces Day National Event.

Still time to get your skates on

There’s just a few days left to book the great early bird ticket offer for the Christmas in Salisbury ice rink. Tickets for the offer are going fast so, if you don’t want to miss out, get online now. The offer of a £15 family ticket for two adults and two children, is available until 22 November. Book now.

A good week for Salisbury

What a positive week this has been for Salisbury! 

On Monday I was delighted to be invited to speak at the launch to welcome Zizzi back to the city centre.
The theme was ‘Zizzi Loves Salisbury’ and that feeling was well and truly reciprocated - Salisbury is delighted to see Zizzi reopen. The restaurant has been given a bright new look, inside and out. I was touched by the careful thought that had gone into the revamp, particularly the origami birds that mirror this summer’s beautiful Les Colombes art installation of doves at Salisbury Cathedral.
What struck me on Monday was the genuine positivity and excitement of the Zizzi team, led by manager Joe Pegg, to have the restaurant back and open for business.
Zizzi has stuck by Salisbury and shown its confidence in the city.

Get your skates on! 

Christmas is now just around the corner and our sights are on the busy festive trading season and the New Year. It’s so important for Salisbury, Amesbury and south Wiltshire that this year is a successful, busy festive period and that we all do all we can to encourage visitors and Christmas shoppers.
The Christmas market opens on 29 November and this year there’s the added attraction of an all-weather ice rink and live entertainment in the Guildhall Square. A real winter wonderland for everyone to enjoy.
A fantastic early bird family ticket offer went live this week and it’s great to see that tickets are selling fast. The offer, £15 for two adults and two children, is only available until 22 November so, if you don’t want to miss out, do go online and book your slot. You can book on the Salisbury Christmas Market website.