TRADITIONAL. Original.

These are the themes that will forever be associated with Salisbury, say those leading its "brand revival".

This "revival" comes as part of an effort to push for an overall regeneration of the city following the Novichok events of last year.

Led by VisitWiltshire and Heavenly – an international brand consultancy specialist, the plan was today laid out as to how to make the city a world renowned location for both business and families.

"Salisbury needs to have a very clear and competitive offer," said Amanda Snowe, Salisbury project manager for VisitWiltshire, who spoke to the Journal before a special announcement conference this afternoon.

"The challenge isn't just about showing what the city is and has to offer now, but sustaining that brand for years to come.

"[Thus] we need to produce a really clear position of what Salisbury offers all sectors, be it business or residential."

She previously told the Journal: "It is important that the brand positioning we develop feels true to the people who live and work here."

To support that vision, one idea suggested by Roger Price, managing partner of Heavenly, was Salisbury Uncovered, a way to tell the unknown and forgotten stories of the city – told by those who live and work here.

Another was to create a new "stamp of quality" that would "forever be associated with the city".

Named "Made in Salisbury" the stamp would be applied to companies that create products which adhere to Salisbury's values of quality craftsmanship, that has been produced with care.

These ideas, they say, have come as a direct result of the consultation held earlier this year, which was answered by more than a 1,000 local residents.

In that, the survey respondents found Salisbury’s greatest strengths to be its heritage (scoring 3.92 out of 5), its friendly and welcoming atmosphere (3.84), music, arts and culture scene (3.64) and the quality and choice of bars and restaurants in the city (3.42).

The key weaknesses were the job and career opportunities (2.57 out of 5) and the quality and choice for shopping (2.67).

People were both proud to be associated with Salisbury (66 per cent strongly agree or agree) and people feel very at home in Salisbury (77 per cent strongly agree or agree).

Salisbury’s top five must see and do attractions were ranked as the cathedral, the Charter Market, Old Sarum, Stonehenge and Salisbury Museum, and Fisherton Mill was named the city’s best-kept secret.

Heavenly and VisitWiltshire also carried out one-to-one engagement sessions and focus groups with more than 100 stakeholders over the past months, who were able to go into more detail about the city’s strengths and weaknesses.

They said infrastructure and transport are a common source of frustration, that younger people feel less well-served by Salisbury and that governance and leadership are seen as “hamstrung or distant”, with one saying: “Salisbury deserves better.”

The Salisbury Competitive Brand Positioning Brand Management Team says it will now look to the next phase of the project, which focuses on developing and implementing some of the ideas suggest.