Salisbury's The Bishops Mill, which was at centre of Novichok nerve agent attack, reopens with fresh look

But now The Bishops Mill has welcomed its first punters since last March.

With a new name and fresh refurb, the pub at the centre of the Novichok poisonings has today reopened.

Previously known as The Mill, the Salisbury pub marked the occasion with a special ribbon cutting by mayor of Salisbury Mike Osment.

Changes to the watering hole include a glazed pergola, a repositioned bar, updated dining areas with new artwork and decor, improved accessibility, and more space on the ground floor.

During the year away from the venue, The Bishops Mill team were working at various other pubs across the country, but pub owner, Emma Dodge, said it is "brilliant" to be back, adding: "This is the soul of Salisbury and we're looking forward to going back to how it was."

Live music, sport nights, and themed nights are all part of the pub's events calendar that will make the refurbished pub "quirky" and "different", Emma added.

She said: "If you asked me two months after the building was shut I would be very unsure what would happen next, it has been tough but everything that happened is in the past, onwards and upwards.

"I've got a million and one ideas of things we can bring here. The refurb has given us the opportunity to make something amazing with thought and love.

"And the pool table is back by popular demand."

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) minister who had been signing off the sites as they became Novichok- free, Thérèse Coffey, attended the opening ceremony today and said it was "wonderful" to be at the last site:

As reported, the Greene King pub had been closed since last March for nerve agent decontamination, after being one of the buildings visited by Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

The pub had been scheduled to open for Christmas, but plans were delayed due to the building's listed status.

Before cutting the ribbon, Cllr Osment told the Journal: “It’s so pleasing that [The Bishops Mill] is opening again and it's so encouraging to see Salisbury supporting the pub. It’s a fantastic refurb so the team has really used the opportunity well.

"It’s a big psychological boost for the city and shows that we are well and truly moving forward."