Frome makes national headlines during summer

‘BURSTING with new enterprises,’ a ‘fun, quirky place’ and a town with a ‘can-do attitude’ – all ways Frome has been described by national journalists and bloggers this summer.

Over the last couple of months Frome has been increasingly featured in the national media, with writers highlighting the plethora of artists, the thriving independent shops and the entrepreneurial and community spirit.

Just some of the comments include ‘A mecca for artists and artisans’, ‘this quintessentially English market town’, ‘Quirky’ with ‘a thriving town centre full of independent businesses and boutique shops’ and ‘Surprisingly fabulous.

The rave reviews follow the work done by Siren Communications who earlier this year were tasked by Frome Town Team to raise the profile of Frome in the national media, encourage more visitors and champion Frome as a place to live or develop a business.

A group of journalists and bloggers were invited to visit Frome on a press visit last month, while others have also discovered Frome for themselves. Here are some of the things they had to say:

• “A small Somerset town has turned its fortunes around by becoming a mecca for artists and artisans… bursting with new enterprises including two bicycle makers, musical instrument makers, dozens of artists’ studios and the sort of small independent shops and galleries and street markets that attract the young and hip to the East End of London” (The Times, ‘Frome Spring, the revolution that transformed a Somerset town,’ Saturday 10th August)

• “See this first: Cheap Street, where the stream still runs down the middle.” (The Sun on Sunday, ‘Live like a local’ featuring Neil Howlett, 1st September)

• “It’s pretty, but not in the chintzy, Jane Austen style of nearby Bath.  Somehow it feels sturdier and built to last.

“This quintessentially English market town really doesn’t have the feel of a rave centre. There IS a very supportive local community and the Super Market held on the first Sunday of every month helps to encourage that entrepreneurial spirit and build artisan businesses by providing a co-ordinated venue for local people to showcase their produce.” (London Unattached, ‘Frome – Somewhere rather special in Somerset,’ 20th August)

• “Most of our English city breaks have been all about history but Frome is all about the present day.

“In a time when media is bemoaning the death of High Street, Frome has a thriving town centre full of independent businesses and boutique shops.  And there is definitely a tight community feel in Frome. It was obvious from everyone that we had the pleasure to meet, Frome is all about community.” (Oh, the places we will go!, ‘Frome, a quirky little town in Somerset’, 29th August.)

• “It has to be said that Frome used to have a reputation as, well, a bit of a dive. Recently though, I keep hearing people I know to have impeccable taste talking about Frome wherever I turn, so it was high time I cast my preconceptions aside and checked out the transformation for myself. And I am so glad I did!” (Decorator’s Notebook blog, ‘Surprisingly fabulous Frome!’ 2nd September).