Town Profiles » Frome
"Frome is the largest and most easterly town in the Mendip District, with a population of around 26,000."
The town itself is rich in history and has more listed buildings than any other Somerset town. Its heritage is associated with a medieval cloth and wool industry. The wool trade has long since declined but has been replaced by a range of other industries.
Frome enjoys a blend of traditional and modern industries. A number of larger companies are based in the area with printing, computer typesetting, dairy products, metal pressings, foundry work and advanced engineering all strongly represented.
Frome no longer hosts the lively weekly livestock market in the town centre, this has been very successfully relocated to a purpose built site just off the Frome by-pass at Standerwick. The public can attend the livestock markets.
Marston Trading Estate provides traditional commercial premises and on the northern outskirts of Frome is a new business site at Commerce Park with easy access to the A361 leading to Bath and Trowbridge and the A36 down to Salisbury and the A303.
The town has a good selection of over 200 shops including arts & crafts specialists and an emphasis on small independent retailers. W.H. Smiths, Boots, Woolworths, Martins, Argos and Marks & Spencer are located in the town centre with Halfords, Homebase, Asda and Sainsbury’s on the edge of town. The Catherine Hill 'Quarter' (pictured) is home to a number of niche independent retailers and visitors to the hill can spend a happy few hours browsing among the clothing, jewellery, antiques and accessories.
The popular St Catherine's Artisan Market is held monthly from April-October and at Christmas on Catherine Hill in Frome (pictured). The market has around 50 stalls selling vintage and retro treasures, local food and plants and a wide range of local designer-made products.
Frome is one of the most creative town in England and is gaining an excellent reputation for artistic events, galleries and site specific works of art and is becoming known across the South West as a haven for artists and craftspeople.
The Frome Festival is held annually and features more than 110 events over ten days including music, literary talks, film, art, walks, talks, workshops and children's activities. The headline acts for July 2011 are Cara Dillon, John Shuttlesworth, European Union Chamber Orchestra, Lucy Porter, Turin Brakes, Transglobal Underground, Snadi Thom, Jo Caulfield and the Amati String Quartet.
The entertainment sector is strong all year round with an 800 person flat-floor venue at the Cheese and Grain , together with traditional venues at the Memorial and Merlin theatres and an independent cinema which is famous for being a licensed premises so you can have a beer while watching a film.
There are good leisure facilities locally with tennis, golf and swimming all available within the town and surrounding area. Just outside the town is the celebrity hideout Babington House where Sadie Frost, Madonna and Zoe Ball have been spotted.
