Judges visit Frome ahead of UK’s greatest town award

ASSESSORS from the Academy of Urbanism visited Frome last week after the town was nominated for a ‘Great Town’ award.

Frome was voted one of the top three towns in the UK earlier this year, and is now in the final, running up against Halifax and Margate.

Six assessors from the London-based organisation were shown around the town by members of Frome Town Council.

Leader of the council Peter Macfadyen said, “The academy representatives were treated to a full day of presentations and visits that were all designed to show that Frome is deserving of the award, ‘The Great Town.’

“Our emphasis was that there is work still to be done but  the town has come a long way in recent years in terms of its growing confidence and commercial success.  We said that this is due in large part to the enterprising  spirit shown by local people.

“We highlighted the way in which buildings that were once vacant or underused have now been brought back into productive use and are making a difference to people’s lives.

“We talked about the many community events that take place in Frome and the projects that the town council and its partners have supported and are continuing to support.

“The winner won’t actually be announced until November but we have given it our best shot.  I would like to thank everyone who gave their time to get involved.”

The Academy of Urbanism is an organisation of leading architects, planners and developers that aims to celebrate great places across the world, as well as the people and organisations that create and sustain them.

The Great Town Award is one of five given out annually to recognise the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments.

To find out more visit www.academyofurbanism.org.uk