Frome has been crowned the best town in the UK at the 2016 Urbanism Awards, adding yet another accolade to the town’s quickly filling trophy cabinet.
Frome was presented the ‘Great Town’ award by the Academy of Urbanism, after fending off competition from finalists Halifax in West Yorkshire and Margate in Kent. It came only a week after Frome Town Council won ‘Council of the Year’, and Frome Independent Market was named runner-up in The Observer’s food awards.
Councillor and former mayor Pippa Goldfinger accepted the award on behalf of the town.
Cllr Goldfinger said, “I am thrilled that Frome has been recognised in this way and give thanks to the Academy of Urbanism for bestowing this honour on the town.
“Many people in Frome have long felt that it is a great town but the secret is now out! This new award owes much to the spirit of community, innovation and enterprise in the town and I am certain that the people of Frome will be very proud that their efforts have received such national recognition.”
The award is one of five given out annually by built-environment network The Academy of Urbanism to recognise the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments.
Tim Challans, lead assessor of the Great Town award said, “We are particularly impressed with the way in which Frome Town Council has reinvented local governance and encouraged partnerships with other local authorities, local communities and entrepreneurs to create a progressive, prosperous, environmentally sensitive and caring market town for the future.”
Voted on by its members, who include leading architects, planners and developers, the award covers a number of social, economic and environmental factors, including good governance and commercial success.
Frome was commended for the town council’s supportive governance, the range of cultural and community opportunities, retaining the historical appearance of the town, the vibrancy of independent shops in the town, and its effort to be environmentally-friendly.
To find out more about the Academy of Urbanism and its awards, visit www.academyofurbanism.org.uk
