Salisbury City Hall: Local frustration at prolonged reopening process
A Salisbury City Councillor has told us it's costing the local economy 'millions'
There's frustration from a Salisbury City Councillor that progress in getting City Hall reopened is not being made.
Paul Sample, who's previously called for City Hall to be reopened, says the process is no further forward than this time last year.
Last week, the council announced it hoped to offer the venue to a third-party organisation in a long-term lease agreement.
"Wiltshire Council always say that they're moving things forward," Mr Sample said, adding: "The reality is, we are no further forward in the process today than we were this time last year.
"I'm deeply frustrated by their inactivity, inability to get on with it."
Concerns over return condition
Mr Sample said he agreed with Wiltshire Council's decision to search for a third-party partner, but has concerns over the condition the venue would be returned to the community in.
The venue has been closed for almost two years, with major repairs required to the roof that would cost in excess of £2 million, according to Wiltshire Council.
"They've (Wiltshire Council) not been up front and honest about what condition Salisbury City Hall will be when it's returned to the sector, when it reopens as an entertainment venue," he said.
Mr Sample added: "They've been deliberately obtuse and obscure about that."
He's calling for them to come forward and be more open about the state the building will be in once it's reopened.
"Salisbury City Hall should be returned in exactly the same condition or better than when it was removed from Salisbury District Council back in 2009.
"It needs to be a turnkey operation where someone can come in and start trading right from day one."
'Colossal' hit on local economy every day it's closed
In September 2023, Salisbury City Council stated they planned to open negotiations with Wiltshire Council to take control of the building.
But Wiltshire's statement last week said they would retain ownership of City Hall.
Mr Sample said that every day City Hall is closed, the local night time economy in Salisbury is taking a 'colossal, multi-million pound hit'.
"It's unearned income for Salisbury City Hall, and it's also a huge loss to the night time economy around the City Hall, that really depends on it.
"The cafes, the clubs, the restaurants, the pubs which have taken a colossal multi million pound hit because Salisbury City Hall has been black now for so long and that's the real problem.
"It's not just about what it costs to run at the City Hall, it's about the cost to our community and to local business of not having it on."