PRESS RELEASE
HIGH VISITOR NUMBERS TO CITY!
Immediate Release
Salisbury is a truly lively place these days and the latest statistical figures from our
three footfall counters show a huge increase in visitor numbers to the city. For the
week beginning 15th June, counters reported an increase on visitors, up from the
previous week by 24,000 people!
Salisbury has steadily become busier since Easter and has recently seen a tremendous
boost to local traders with so many people visiting the city. Monday evening, 15th was
a highlight when Salisbury celebrated the 800 year of Magna Carta with a street
pageant at which many locals as well as visitors turned out to watch and follow the
procession culminating in the Cathedral Close to watch the pyrotechnics display.
Traders have reported it noticeably busier with trade generally brisk, particularly on
Market days, Tuesday and Saturdays. Visitors to the city are able to find their way
around easily and the new Totem Way Finding signs with clear maps are all helping to
boost trade.
One visitor to Salisbury who had come all the way from Norwich said “Salisbury is an
amazing place to visit. You have some wonderful shops, restaurants and pubs, and the
Cathedral and grounds are spectacular. Our family is doing the Barons Trail and we
are intrigued at the little streets, the lovely buildings and love the way the city is
decorated”
Steve Godwin, business manager for the Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID)
comments “that we are seeing a great deal more visitors to the city then this time last
year. Businesses are generally reporting an upturn in trade and the streets are busier.
We have many attractions in the city and through strong partnership working, we
seem to have achieved what we set out to do which is to boost visitor numbers to the
City and increase spend in the shops, restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions. This
year started well with a massive injection of people over the first May Bank Holiday
because of the Fisherton Festival, very shortly followed by the International Arts
Festival from end May to early June and now the Magna Carta exhibition, the Barons
Trail, followed by a massive programme of events right through to the Flower Festival
in October. Salisbury has really worked hard to tell everyone that it is open for business,
and visitor numbers are starting to show an upturn in business and the end of one of
the longest recessions that most people can remember. BID is determined to ensure
that this trend continues and has an itinerary packed with ideas for the next few years”
Ends:
Issued on: 23rd June 2015
Notes to Editors:
For all media enquiries please contact:
Steve Godwin at Salisbury Business Improvement District Ltd on 01722 658000 or
email steve@salisburybid.co.uk
Salisbury’s Business improvement District (BID) is an arrangement whereby
businesses come together as an ideal mechanism to form and develop a dynamic
business environment and decide which improvements they feel could be made in
their area. Salisbury BID has a 5 year term after which it will apply for a renewal.
Funded by approximately 550 businesses within Salisbury City Centre paying a
1.5% levy based on their rateable value, businesses voted in favour of becoming a
bid towards the end of 2013 and the BID came into operation in April of 2014. The
BID is a not for profit company with a Board of 17 directors who are levy payers.
They oversee the company and BID activities with funds of over £2,000,000 over
five years.