SHARE: A Library of Things on the Bridge in Frome will be celebrating its first anniversary on Thursday 12th May from 7.00pm.
The first share shop in the UK, the shop now has almost 500 members, stocks over 600 items which members can borrow for as little as £1 a week donation and has recently launched weekly repair sessions.
A number of groups around the country and internationally have also been inspired to set up similar projects following Frome’s example.
Anna Francis, Frome Town Council’s resilience officer who worked with Edventure to set up the shop last year said, “It’s been a fantastic year. Although we’d done market research we weren’t sure how much the shop would be used. It’s turned out to be a really valuable space providing almost 500 people with items that they can borrow for as little as £1 a week.
“It’s also turned into a space for regular skill sharing events and we have a well-used skill share board.
“We recently secured funding to offer repair sessions every Saturday morning, focussing on Waste Electrical and Electronic Items, which is another great way to stop our precious resources ending up in landfill.
“I’d encourage everyone to pop down to the shop and join. To celebrate our birthday in May we are offering free Membership too.”
Share Shop co-manager Aliss Vass said, “At our birthday celebration on the 12th May we will be having a juice bar, music and visuals. Do book a free place if you’d like to join us.”
As well as popular items such as carpet cleaners, leaf blowers, tools and a projector, other more unusual items include a power kite, unicycle, surfboard, festival trolley, musical instruments and a range of cooking items including bread and ice-cream makers.
For more information or to book a free place at SHARE’s birthday party, pop into the shop at 3A The Bridge, Wednesday – Saturday, visit: www.sharefrome.org or call 01373 475574.
