FROME Town Council is exploring ways to invigorate the town centre, following an increase of empty shop buildings, lower footfall and complaints about the untidiness of the area.
At the full town council meeting on Wednesday 12th July, Cllr Mel Usher presented a report on the work being carried out to invigorate the town centre. He said there have been several attempts to improve the town centre over the last decade, from designs along the riverside to improvements at the Boyle Cross, plus small environmental enhancements in the town, which have returned varying degrees of success.
He added, “Our town centre often doesn’t look its best. There has also been a significant rise over the last few years in vacant properties and general untidiness.”
Cllr Usher also noted that Frome town centre’s largely independent high street has felt the effects of global changes. He said, “The changes in shopping habits, rise of internet shopping and vacant shops in the centre of Frome all affect how the town looks. There are many challenges as high streets adapt. Shop occupancy in Frome is down from 100% pre-pandemic and currently there are approximately 16 premises vacant in the centre (8%). Footfall is also down by roughly 1.4%.
Councillors discussed the ‘quick wins’ that looked possible, such as recruiting a dedicated Town Centre Ranger, revamping the Discover Frome website to improve the user experience of the “what’s on” section, and starting the discussions around a Town Centre Partnership Officer.
The town council resolved to immediately begin to work with premises owners and businesses to explore creative solutions.
It was also recommended for the council to support Idverde, a company providing grounds maintenance services, in carrying out Somerset Council’s cleaning contract and write to the owners of vacant properties asking them to support the effort, to ensure that the town looks and feels vibrant and open for business.
In recent meetings, the appearance and feel of the town centre has been raised by lead councillor for the area, cllr Nick Dove, who has shared concerns about the cleanliness of the streets and last month, requested Somerset Council respond to complaints of vermin emerging around Paul Street.
Additionally, earlier this year, 51 shop owners signed a petition to highlight the issue of aggressive begging in the town centre.
