THE Cheese & Grain is throwing a free birthday party next month to celebrate its 20th anniversary and to thank the community for all their support.
The party, on Saturday 1st September, promises to be a night to remember with headliners The Cuban Brothers, bringing their special blend of music, riotous comedy, and sensational b-boy skills to the stage.
Throughout its 20-year history, the venue has evolved and improved over the years and punches well above its weight for a small town events venue, with strong programming, offering wide appeal. There are also many own-run events such as the popular drinks festivals that contribute to the Cheese & Grain charity.
With a footfall of over 100,000 visits per year and 60% of that number from outside Frome, the venue is an integral part of Frome’s night time and weekend economy, with over 250 events a year.
The venue now employs over 50 people and is continuously evolving and developing. The Tower Studio project has had National Lottery and Frome Town Council funding and will be a fantastic resource for the town, providing training opportunities for the town’s youngsters. There is a chance to preview the tower on Friday 1st September, with live band workshops from 2pm and 3pm, and live demonstrations from 4pm – 5pm.
The Cheese & Grain is also a community hub, with regular charity bingo, markets, training for computer skills, adult education with Frome Community Education, healthy Mondays with the NHS, free music weekly with the Wednesday Roots sessions for local musicians, teen band nights, toddler and baby music classes, martial arts, and the weekly roller disco.
There are also special events and festivals throughout the year, including the popular Chocolate Festival, Frome Dog Show, record fairs, vintage markets and the annual Frome Festival.
With meeting rooms for hire and hot-desking suite on the mezzanine floor, the Cheese & Grain is a hive of industry.
The improved café bar is open longer hours seven days a week and now offers alcohol throughout the day, so you can enjoy a wine with your meal. The bar is well-stocked with craft beers, ciders and has a huge choice of gins, wines and now cocktails!
The hospitality team also cater for weddings, dinner-dances, Christmas corporate parties and other special events throughout the year.
The Cheese & Grain is a registered charity and a not-for-profit social enterprise and receives no regular grants or funding. There is currently a fundraising campaign for improved heating and air-conditioning.
Over the last 20 years the Cheese & Grain has played host to a huge number of acts, including big names like Foo Fighters, Ash, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Jason Manford and The Levellers, to name but a few.
The programme for next season is exceptionally strong and there will be a very special announcement coming up very soon for one of the 20th birthday events in September.
Future events include Kathy Lette, Turin Breaks, Bay City Rollers, Jilted John, Legend, Huey Morgan, Nish Kumar, Space, Benedict Allen, Gordon Buchanan, Reef, Rory Bremner, Lindesfarne, Afro Celt Sound System, Craig Charles, Robert Newman, Seth Lakeman, Enter Shikari, The Osmonds, Cara Dillon, Glitter Ball Drag Night, to name just a few!
Tickets for the birthday party on Saturday 1st September, at 7pm, are available now, call 01373 455 420 or visit the website on www.cheeseandgrain.com.
Venue photo credit: Chris Bailey.
