WITH Christmas fast approaching, people in Frome are being reminded that there are plenty of great Christmas gift ideas and festive items you can pick up in town.
Frome mayor, cllr Kate Bielby and president of Frome Chamber of Commerce, Nigel Harris, are urging people to shop locally to support the town.
Mayor Kate Bielby said, “We’re so lucky in Frome still to be able to shop locally. There are many larger towns and even major cities with no independent toy, book, record or hardware shops, let alone a greengrocer or butcher. Most money spent in a locally-owned shop stays in the local economy. Let’s support local businesses who help keep our town centre alive.”
President of Frome Chamber of Commerce Nigel Harris said, “I remind people to focus at least some of their Christmas spending on the wonderful range of independent local businesses we have in Frome.
“I urge Frome residents to discover the wealth of independent shops we have right here on our doorstep. We need to support local retailers to keep them in business though – as they say, it’s a case of “use it or lose it.”
Live entertainment in town centre for Shop Local Week
LOCAL musicians will be performing around Frome this Saturday 7th November, as part of a scheme to encourage people to shop locally and make the most of the town centre.
The day will mark the end of the town council’s Shop Local initiative, which has been encouraging people to buy from stores in the town throughout this week.
Town centre community coordinator Mark Brookes said, “The idea of Shop Local Week is simply to ask local people to think about where they spend their money, and hopefully spend a little more of it locally.
“Spending locally keeps money in the town and supports the town centre economy which is key in this age of online shopping and out of town stores.
“Whilst Frome continues to buck retail trends and has a much lower vacant shop rate than most towns, it’s still worth remembering that retailing, and especially independent retailing, can be a tough business.
“Buying your bread in the bakers, your meat in the butchers, your books in the bookshop and flowers in the local florists makes a big difference to the viability of a town like Frome.
“Shop Local Week is designed to remind us all of the excellent shops we have here, and on Saturday 7th November many of these shops will be hosting local performers. We hope that people will spend much of the day in the town, wander from venue to venue, enjoy the music and support the shops and cafes on their way.”
The following local performers will be in or outside shops and cafes in Frome town centre on Saturday:
• Former Dr Feelgood frontman Pete Gage at Crocker & Woods, Catherine Hill (10.30am)
• For children a puppet show with Annie Aldam at Ellenbray, The Westway shopping Centre (10.30am)
• Blues star Eddie Martin at Raves From the Grave, Cheap Street (11.30am)
• Richard Riley & Gina Valerie at Top of The Hill, Catherine Street (11.45am)
• Griff Daniels and Nikki Maskell at Pacamorra, Catherine Hill (12.45pm)
• Al O’Kane at Frome Wholefoods, Cheap Street (1pm)
• Poet Hannah Teasdale at Hunting Raven Books, Cheap Street (2.30pm)
• Dexters Exposed at The Riverhouse Café (3pm)
• Harpist Vicki Burke at the Naismith Robertson Gallery, Catherine Hill (3.30pm)
For more information contact Mark Brookes on 01373 465757.