Two cultural venues in Frome could be upgraded in the coming months if they receive a share of £5m from central government.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced in early March that £5m of capital funding would be provided to cultural projects within the former Mendip area, which includes Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street and Wells.
The two venues in Frome which have been shortlisted include The Lucky Chance, owned by theatre company Wise Children, on Portway, which wishes to make the building more wheelchair accessible and improve its garden area to enhance the visitor experience.
The Cheese and Grain has also been shortlisted where Event Tec consultants wish to boost the local music industry by providing training and enhancing the venue’s existing facilities.
At Somerset Council’s full council meeting on 26th September in Bridgewater, councillor for Frome West, Cllr Martin Dimery asked for assurance that the former Mendip area would not be neglected in terms of cultural investment, regardless of how the grant funding ended up being distributed.
He said, “Unfortunately in the east of the country, we lost all funding for venues like the Merlin Theatre in Frome and the Strode Theatre in Street.
“In Frome, we have a number of venues that have managed to succeed without any funding, but they all are in need of repair, support and help.”
Other venues across the county which have been shortlisted include The Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury and the Shepton Canvas in Shepton Mallet.
Cllr Dimery said, “I would like assurance that the former Mendip area of this county hasn’t been forgotten in terms of arts provision.”
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s portfolio holder for communities, housing revenue account, culture, equalities and diversity, said, “The area has certainly not been forgotten.
“We obviously know that the government is reviewing all of its spending, but we hope the outcome of the grant is positive.”
