FROME is preparing ready for a great new pub and venue as, from the ashes of The Olive Tree rises The Artisan!
Two entrepreneurs and best friends, Siobhan Cook and Anna Brady met in London and shared a dream of opening a business together in hospitality.
When Anna moved to Frome with her partner and had her first child, the possibility of renovating and running The Olive Tree on Catherine Street materialised. Anna immediately called Siobhan, still living in London, and The Artisan was born.
In conjunction with Star Pubs & Bars, Anna and Siobhan have a plethora of ideas to make The Artisan the place to be. The grand opening will be this Saturday, 6th June, with all welcome and a relaxed party atmosphere promised.
And to coincide with the Sunday Market on 7th June, The Artisan will hold a fun afternoon with live music and a barbecue.
Both Siobhan and Anna want The Artisan to be a place where everyone can feel at home, and are planning lots of monthly events to make this a reality; quizzes, coffee mornings, themed nights, senior lunches, Friday happy hour and more!
On Sundays if you pre-book, on offer will be a whole chicken, big bowl of roasties, vegetables and a pudding to share in a family group or with friends. With a lovely outdoor deck and Sarah Banks of The Caterpillar Club offering entertainment for children, it’s a great excuse to really relax on a Sunday. Through the week the pub will offer a plat du jour for speedy, delicious lunch breaks launching on Tuesday 9th June.
The Artisan has been undergoing a complete refurbishment. The finished look will be a neutral base with bright, vibrant accents; a mix of Victorian vintage with a modern twist.
On offer are cosy areas, a chesterfield sofa, quirky wallpaper and beautiful tiling and lighting; many pieces are sourced and supplied by local artisans like Sam Hill of One Vision CNC’s beautifully carved menu boards and welcome plaque, or the intricate abstract ink artwork of Guy Watts.
Anna told Frome Times, “We wanted to source local craftspeople to help make The Artisan a truly Frome feeling place! Frome is full of artistic talent and it wasn’t difficult to find people to help us. Like the beautiful glass tumblers which were made by amazing glass blower, Sonja Klingler.”
Siobhan said, “The Artisan is what we have both dreamed of opening and we want it to be the hub of the community. We want people to feel this is their pub and we welcome any suggestions from our customers so we can offer the best service possible.”
by Philippa Kaye
