Salisbury Zizzi to reopen following nerve agent attack

Zizzi will be reopening its Salisbury branch tomorrow after a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned by a nerve agent in the city earlier this year.

The 146-cover restaurant, which employs 24 people, has been closed since the attack in March. It has been given a clean bill of health by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and has been fully refurbished, including all soft furnishings, fixtures and fittings.

The restaurant and the Mill Pub were both visited by Sergei and Yulia Skripal on 4 March before they were found unconscious on a park bench. The pair were poisoned by a military-grade Novichok nerve agent but both survived the attack.

Tomorrow, diners will be able to pay what they feel their food is worth, with all proceeds being donated to the Salisbury Mayor's Appeal which supports two local charities: the Rose Gale Trust and Children's Chance, which are both dedicated to helping young people in the area.

Many of the original staff have returned to the restaurant to resume service, including restaurant manager Joe Pegg (pictured left, with assistant manager Chloe Pattison).

Pegg said: "It's been a tough few months for everyone affected by March's events and I personally can't wait to open the doors and welcome the local community back into the restaurant."

Phil Boyd, Zizzi operations director, said: "It's been a difficult few months for the city, so we wanted to take this opportunity to show our support for this brilliant community."

Alistair Cunningham, chair of the South Wiltshire Recovery Coordinating Group, added: "We are so pleased Zizzi is reopening in time for the build up to Christmas. For Salisbury it is a significant step forward and shows the city centre has returned to normal and has moved on from the events of this year.

"Work continues to restore visitor confidence and provide support to local traders and businesses. The reopening of Zizzi is at the start of a programme of events and initiatives to promote Christmas in Salisbury and encourage shoppers, visitors and tourists to come to the city and enjoy all it has to offer."

Decontamination of Salisbury pub and restaurant could take months >>

Pub-goers and diners told to wash possessions after spy poisoned >>

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