City Hall in Salisbury will continue to be an NHS vaccination centre until March 2023, Wiltshire Council has confirmed. 

The council and the NHS have agreed a six-month extension to their occupation of City Hall, which was due to expire at the end of September.

However, Wiltshire Council says it continues to plan for the venue’s future as an entertainment and cultural venue beyond the lease’s expiry.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “There was an increase of Covid-19 cases earlier in the summer so we are pleased to extend the City Hall lease so that the NHS can comprehensively plan for the next six months ahead, during what is always a tricky autumn and winter period.

“However, we know people are eager to see City Hall reopen as an entertainment venue, just as we are, so cabinet will soon be presented with a comprehensive report so that we can make an informed decision on the options available and its long-term future can be secured.

“We’ll continue to keep people updated on this, as we recognise the important role the venue plays in the city’s cultural and entertainment offer.”

City Hall closed as an entertainment venue in March 2020 due to Covid, but has been used as a vaccination centre since December 2020.

A report is due to be presented at a future cabinet meeting outlining options available and provide more analysis of the recent soft market test exercise, which established the possible interest of organisations running the venue on the council’s behalf.

The extension to use City Hall as a vaccination hub will allow the NHS to plan for the autumn and winter, with booster jabs confirmed to be rolled out to the over 50s.

Fiona Hyett, Operations Director at Salisbury City Hall, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue providing the Covid-19 vaccine from Salisbury City Hall.

“So far, this central location has provided the back drop to more than 240,000 vaccinations, and that number is set to increase over the coming months as adults aged over 50 begin to come forward for their all-important autumn booster jab.

“At every stage of the vaccination programme, we have been overwhelmed by the response from people in and around Salisbury, and we are confident that this latest phase, which will also see those who are eligible offered the seasonal flu vaccine, will be met in much the same way.” 

 

Get more Salisbury news. 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date, as well as signing up for one of our newsletters.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.