VENUES IN AND AROUND FROME

RISE

Rise sits on Whittox Lane, very close to Melrose House, considered to be the finest private dwelling in the town. Built in the early 1800s, RISE – formerly known as The HUBnub Centre – is a lovingly restored former church located in the heart of Frome. It ceased functioning as a church in 2014 and is another (privately owned) community resource following a restoration by owners Ed Roberts and Io Fox. Within the building there are two venue hire spaces catering for a wide variety of classes and events, a contemporary art gallery, shop, a cafe and garden for families to enjoy and offices and work space. 

​

The main space is a wonderful ‘open’ café and meeting place. 

Downstairs is office space used by a community arts charity and above is The Whittox Gallery. A very useful space, behind the café, is the ‘Old Schoolroom’ which can host large classes /gatherings (including dance etc; it’s a good space with a high ceiling) and upstairs there is the smaller Sun Room, for more intimate meetings.

​

Address: Whittox Lane, Frome BA11 3BY

Website: www.risefrome.com
Phone: 07712 523734

​

​

The Cheese and Grain

Everyone in Frome knows the Cheese and Grain (and an awful lot of visitors too) as it is situated at the edge of the town’s largest car park off Market Place. Built in 1875, the building was originally called The Market Hall but as early as 1905 it was hosting ‘non-trading’ events like performances by the Frome Amateur Operatic Society!  The modern Cheese and Grain is a community-owned resource which works with the Town Council and other organisations “to boost Frome’s social, cultural and economic life”.

​

It has a capacity of 830 standing and 500 seating and because of this can host concerts, trade events, markets, exhibitions – you name it!  

​

There are also three meeting rooms; two hold 30 and the other, 15. 

It has a licenced bar and a café.

• It has a full lighting and sound rig and can provide the technicians for these as required.   

• In 2021 a new air conditioning system was installed which completely refreshes the entire air volume every 6 minutes.   If you need to host an event for 200 or more, the Cheese and Grain is the place.

Address: Market Yard, Frome BA11 1BE

Website: www.cheeseandgrain.com

Phone: 01373 455768 

​

Marston Park

Located off the A361 Frome by-pass to the west of the town, Marston Park is set around a Victorian lake and has rapidly established itself as a place that hosts “performances, exhibitions and other happenings”. 

​

There are art displays there, DJ led evenings of dancing beside the lake (under a giant canvas stretch tent), camping / glamping, and splendid Bonfire Night firework displays.  There are also art and craft workshops, musical classes, in fact, at the time of producing this page, there was Festive Willow Weaving, Raku Pottery, Slow Stitch Club Introduction to Mending, and Bruce Monro’s Field of Light advertised, to mention just four, as well as seasonal events.

It’s a beautiful venue and there is plenty of car parking just a short walk from the lake itself.  

Although it’s just ten minutes’ drive from Frome and close to a major road, this is a tranquil place (when there’s no DJ on!); a place of rural idyll. Wonderfully, those who live in a BA postcode area are frequently offered discounted event tickets!

​

Address: Tuckmarsh Lane, BA11 5BP

Website: www.marstonpark.co.uk

Phone: 01373 489000

​

​

The Memorial Theatre

The Frome Memorial Theatre is a substantial venue.  Like most of Britain’s ‘memorial halls’ the Memorial Theatre was constructed in memory of the fallen on the First World War.  In its first few years it was a dance hall but when ‘the talkies’ dramatically increased the popularity of films it was converted into a cinema and stayed that way until the 1970s when enthusiasm for cinemas waned due to television. 

​

The building became a theatre in the 1980s, it is fully equipped as a modern theatrical venue with a seating capacity of 240 and stages professional productions all year round. 

​

Address: Christchurch Street West, Frome BA11 1EB

Website: www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk

Phone: 01373 462795 

​

​

The Bennett Centre

Situated in the heart of Frome, The Bennett Centre is a community venue with several distinctive spaces for hire. Operating as the church hall for St John's Church, The Bennett Centre has been loving restored over several years as funds have allowed. They are very proud of their aim to preserve the heritage of this historical building while enabling it to be used as an accessible space for the communities of Frome. 

​

The Bennett Centre is currently being refurbished to provide functional spaces of high quality and improved accessibility for the wider Frome community. Their work is not finished so if you would like to contribute to the next phase of the restoration, contact them and see how you can help!. 

​

Address: Vicarage St, Frome BA11 1PX

Website: www.bennettcentre.com

​

​

​

​

The Merlin Theatre

Situated on the edge of the Frome College campus, the Merlin Theatre offers a programme in striking contrast to that on offer at the much larger Memorial Theatre.

It is also host to the Frome Film Club showing niche world cinema and quality independent films.   

There are adult and young people’s workshops (as young as six) encompassing a wide range of the performing arts.

​

Address: Bath Road, Frome BA11 2HG

Website: www.merlintheatre.co.uk 

Phone: 01373 465949