Future of Frome and Saxonvale site discussed at Chamber event

The future of business in Frome was discussed at a special networking breakfast last month which brought together local businesses and representatives from Mayday Saxonvale, the local company behind plans to redevelop the town centre site.

Frome Chamber of Commerce hosted the event at the Cheese and Grain which explored ideas around business growth, employment space and economic activity, alongside how firms can have a stronger voice in shaping Frome’s future. The meeting also heard about the vision for Saxonvale site from directors of the Mayday Saxonvale.

Peter Quintana, chair of Frome Chamber, invited attendees to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the town. Four main themes emerged from the discussion: skills and education, transport and infrastructure, support for business growth and community integration and strengthening the local business voice.

The skills discussion focused on the need for more further education opportunities, apprenticeships and links with schools to help nurture local talent. Attendees also highlighted the importance of better public transport, parking and links between bus and rail services to improve access for workers and visitors.

Other issues that were discussed included the need for affordable and suitable workspace, and for stronger collaboration between local businesses and the Chamber to help influence local decisions. The points raised at the breakfast will be fed back to Mayday Saxonvale and Frome Town Council.

Mayday directors Anita Collier, Paul Oster and Holly Lawton then outlined the group’s vision for Saxonvale. Mayday Saxonvale says it wants to create a community-led regeneration scheme for the town-centre site.

Paul Oster talked about the progress Mayday have made after being awarded the contract to develop the site by Somerset Council, and the challenge they now faced following the decision by the Council late last year to put the site back on the open market, despite Mayday having raised more than £1million through investment and grants.

He emphasised that as a not-for-profit, their approach was to ensure that the community benefited from the development, unlike private developers, whose focus will be on profit.

Holly Lawton talked about the community share scheme that would give every shareholder an opportunity to influence decision making for the development of Saxonvale and that the offer was about to be launched. More than £1million is still needed to be able to start the detailed planning, but she has great hope that the offer will be supported, and successful. The minimum investment is £250. Every investor will have an equal vote, however much they choose to invest.

For further information about Mayday Saxonvale, contact Holly by email: holly@maydaysaxonvale.co.uk.

For more information about Frome and District Chamber of Commerce, contact Peter by email: chair@fromechamber.com. Or visit their website: https://fromechamber.com

Pictured: Mayday directors Paul Oster, Anita Collier and Holly Lawton with Peter Quintana, chair of Frome Chamber