Prime Minister Theresa May is visiting Salisbury today, eleven days after the attempted murder of a former Russian double agent in the city.
Salisbury MP John Glen and Wiltshire Police chief constable Kier Pritchard were among those who greeted the PM as her car arrived on the Cheese Market this morning.
She visited Dinghams and spoke to people outside The Giggling Squid before visiting the cordons in the Maltings and at The Mill pub.
Director of Dinghams Becca Hardingham said on entering the shop Mrs May said “oh don’t take me to a cook shop”.
Mrs Hardingham added: “She came in and spoke to me and my family about how it has affected us. She was very lovely.
“I think she wanted to help us as much as she could. It is nice that she wanted to.”
Mrs Hardingham said that trade in the store has been down, adding: “Tuesday was our lowest day on record and it should have been busy because it was market day but Salisbury has been a ghost town.”
Staff at the Giggling Squid offered Mrs May a glass of wine but the prime minister did not have time to stop for a drink.
She then went inside the Guildhall where she is due to meet first reponders and emergency services, as well as business leaders.
A fair crowd had gathered to catch a glimpse of the PM.
One heckler was heard shouting about Universal Credit.
Mrs May also visited DS Nick Bailey in hospital and spent some time with him and his family.
Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: "I know that both he and his wife really appreciated this time with her."
Mrs May said yesterday that Russia was "culpable" for the attack and is expelling 23 Russian diplomats.
Police officers with dogs were seen checking the city centre earlier today.
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