I HAVE often said that history in Salisbury seems to repeat itself and mention of a possible Travelodge Hotel in the Maltings area takes us back exactly 40 years ago this month.

Early in 1979 it was reported that “Salisbury is at last on the verge of becoming a First Division tourist centre… with a former power station responsible for the long-overdue promotion.”

The report continued with “The Town Mill, after years of disuse which have seen it fall sadly into disrepair, has hopes soaring that the site can be redeveloped as a luxury 100-bedroom hotel.”

So with major hotel chains showing interest in bidding for the plum site, Salisbury District Council (who owned the mill) was seeking outline planning permission for the development. At face value, the council thought the scheme almost too good to be true. They were happy to see a big step towards the comprehensive redevelopment of the Maltings and to also see the picturesque mill saved from the growing threat of total decay.

It was stated that with the area steeped in history and natural beauty, Salisbury’s potential as a top tourist centre had never been in doubt.

Indeed, a national estates journal described the Town Mill as one of the most historic and beautiful old power stations in the country.

Peter Fairweather, president of Salisbury Chamber of Commerce agreed. “We are very keen to encourage tourism in the city and this can only help. If it brings more people into the city to spend money it can only be a good thing.”

It was speculated that the hotel would probably cover an area four times the size of the Mill, and include the buildings in their present form. 40 years ago the hotel scheme was seen as the spur needed to get the Maltings redeveloped, together with car stacking and an integrated passenger transport system.