By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby
The former Pizza Hut restaurant in Frome will be turned into a tanning salon after plans were approved.
Pizza Hut operated from Unit 1 of Enterprise House within the Wessex Fields business park in Frome until 2020, closing its doors forever during the coronavirus pandemic.
The unit was subsequently occupied by the Dough & Co pizza company until they in turn vacated the premises in 2022 – with Consol Ltd. applying in late-November 2025 to convert the premises into a tanning salon.
Somerset Council has now given its blessing to these proposals, meaning the new salon could be welcoming customers by the spring.
Enterprise House’s existing tenants include the town’s KFC restaurant, the police enquiry desk and the Dorothy House Hospice Care furniture store.
Under the approved plans, the tanning salon will occupy the ground floor of the unit, leaving the first floor to be available for either storage or accommodation, in line with the original planning permission for the site.
The tanning salon will offer services on both an appointment and walk-in basis, similar to Consol’s existing branches in Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil.
A spokesperson for Boon Brown Architects (representing the applicant) said, “The site benefits from a shared customer car park with ample provision.
“The proposed solarium use would create employment for ten to 12 people across various roles.
“The peak operating hours for the solarium will be weekdays between 7am and 9:30am, noon and 1:30pm, and 5pm and 8:30pm. Most customers visit on their way to or from work or during lunch breaks.
“While some will use sustainable travel options, many combine their visit with other trips to retailers within the retail and employment park, reducing additional car journeys and supporting sustainable travel and economic activity.
“The proposed change of use is not expected to result in a significant increase in traffic to or from the site.”
The Wessex Fields commercial area will be expanding in the coming years as part of the neighbouring Keyford Meadows development, with 198 homes currently being constructed by Curo.
The council approved plans in early-November 2025 for a new Home Bargains store on Oakley Way, which will create around 100 local jobs – with a promise of another food store to be delivered further to the south in the coming years.
Further commercial development could be delivered at Frome’s southern edge if the 1,700-home Selwood Garden Community is given the green light – with housing secretary Steve Reed MP expected to make a decision in the coming months following a public inquiry in early-August 2025.
The council approved the tanning salon plans through the delegated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee east (which handles major applications within the former Mendip area).
