Salisbury went quiet long before the poisoning
sir – While there is much truth in Patrick Sawer’s article (“Salisbury’s streets are full of police ... and almost empty of shoppers”, March 22), the decline in business within the city occurred long before the Skripals were cruelly attacked on its streets.
Over recent years, Wiltshire council has successfully denied small businesses their livelihood by imposing unaffordable business rates, which strangle profit and force them to close down.
Any new enterprises that appear tend to be things such as nail bars and hair salons, coffee bars and charity shops.
Instead of charging business rates, councils could take a percentage of profits. This would help shopkeepers through lean times and pay a dividend back to the council when takings are up. Lt Col NTR Steevenson (retd) Salisbury, Wiltshire
sir – We happened to be in Salisbury on Wednesday for lunch with friends. It is hard to reconcile the picture of gloom painted by Patrick Sawer with the vibrant atmosphere we observed.
After initial difficulty finding a space to park – the multi-storey carpark was almost full – we enjoyed the relaxed environment, doubtless encouraged by warm sunshine.
Sightseers were being led through the Old George Mall, and people were smiling and chatting as they strolled along.
Eve Wilson
Hill Head, Hampshire