Two community projects focused on saving money, reducing waste and sharing resources are coming together in Frome with the opening of a new DIY store and the return of the Share Shop.
Both initiatives are being run by local non-profit organisation Edventure and will operate from The Welsh Mill on Park Hill Drive. The new DIY and building materials store, Fromebase, is now open, while Share Frome is preparing to reopen at the site after leaving its previous premises last year.
Store manager Nicky Bragg said, “At a time when rising living costs are forcing many households to think differently about how they spend their money, Fromebase offers a practical solution for anyone looking to improve their home and help the planet without compromising on quality.
“We want people to understand that surplus doesn’t mean poor quality. The store is full of useful, high-quality materials that deserve to be used. We want DIY to feel more affordable, less intimidating and more resourceful.”
The materials sold at Fromebase come from surplus stock within the construction industry, where companies and tradespeople often have usable materials left over after completing projects. Fromebase also accepts suitable donations from local residents who have quality materials sitting unused at home.
The site will also be home to Share Frome, the popular initiative where people can borrow items including tools, gardening equipment and household items for a small fee.
The Share Shop was previously located on The Bridge, where it had operated for nine years. It closed last summer after Halifax shut its branch in the Lloyds Banking Group-owned building where the project was based.
Share store manager Daisy said, “When you go and buy materials for your DIY project, you might also need to borrow a specific tool, so Share Shop and Fromebase are perfect partners – where one can’t help the other can! It makes so much sense to have two community projects collaborating with a shared ethos of reusing and saving the planet.”
Pictured: Nicky at Fromebase
