Bringing town back to life post-pandemic
Anita Collier, Mayor of Frome
There’s been some amazing work to help Frome through this crisis, with the big campaign to look out for your five neighbours, food banks being managed, food and prescriptions being delivered, businesses being kept in the loop, leaflets delivered to everyone in the town to keep everyone informed, and over 300 volunteers who have helped to keep it all rolling.
In fact, we were blown away by how quickly our volunteers signed up to support our community through the Covid-19 crisis. So many of you have selflessly given your time to help in numerous ways. The feedback from those who have been helped is heartwarming, they, as I do, really value your time and efforts, and I can safely say you have been a lifeline to those who have needed it.
I’m proud to be working with 16 other Independent councillor colleagues, and a lot of great council staff who are all totally committed to bringing Frome back to life. Through our “What Next Frome” survey we have given people in the town the chance to have their say in what areas they want us to look at as we come out of lockdown.
To this end, we’re starting a series of consultations with people from several groups including community groups, neighbourhoods, businesses, Frome arts and venues, as well as thinking about vocational training opportunities to help people back on their feet. In all these cases we’ll be expecting to come away with at least three or four salient points that will help to kick start the town back into our usual robust and productive activity.
We’re also busily supporting the town’s shops and businesses; with the shops re-opening and the Saturday market returning, we want to encourage residents to shop local and to get our independent shops thriving again.
The Market Place improvements will start on 22nd June and will deliver a more modern and pedestrian-friendly town centre. While these improvements take place, the centre of the town will be closed to traffic thereby allowing shoppers to easily move around the works in a safe and socially distanced way. Please support our local shops and businesses where you can, I hope to see you around the town.
