On Monday 2nd April 2012, Mendip District Council’s Cabinet endorsed a revised plan to improve Frome’s twice-weekly market, which Lib Dems in Frome and Mendip welcome as we have worked on the proposals with Mendip’s Conservative-run and Frome’s independent-run councils. This is now proceeding towards reality on the ground, with a target start in May / June.

My letters welcoming the plans, written jointly with other named councillors, to Frome Times and Somerset Standard, were published in the week commencing 9 April 2012:

“Dear Sir,

Last Monday, Mendip District Council’s Cabinet endorsed a new approach to revitilising and expanding Frome’s twice-weekly market. As members of the project Steering Group and as ward councillors (cllrs Snook and Tanswell), local Lib Dem councillors have been instrumental in getting this far, having worked with other councillors and Mendip and Frome Town Councils to improve Mendip’s initial plans (that involved a trial move to the Market Place). Together, we were able to persuade Mendip to consider other options, undertake public consultation and draw up a comprehensive plan to improve the market. We are glad that Mendip have taken notice of local councillors and local people’s concerns. Thanks go to the 400 people who responded to the consultation, as you have helped guide the scheme.
 
The new plan is the best of both worlds, as the market will now be expanded and improved without the disruption of closing the main road through the town centre on Saturdays. The market would both remain in and expand from its present locations in the Market Yard car park (which is the easiest site for elderly, disabled and other people with walking difficulties) and the Market Place, and be expanded into Scott Road, the Westway and Kingsway Precincts. Together this should make the market much more visible and attractive, and really put Frome’s market on the map.

Three trial ‘Frome super market’ special Sundays are also now proposed in town this summer, to link up with the Artisan market, which been a real Frome success story, as we saw last weekend.

Overall, the market needs better publicity and promotion, including big signs on the outskirts of town, attractive new stalls and covers, and better signage for the town market (avoiding confusion with Standerwick) and these are now part of the plan.
 
It would be brilliant to see Mendip reinvest some of the money they make out of market traders back into it. The new plan is also backed by Frome’s County Councillors, including cllrs Horsfall and Daniell, who approved road closure orders for King Street and Scott Road but turned down original plans to close off the town centre on Saturdays.
 
Frome’s markets are one of the main ways we bring people into the town – the new move really embraces our Market Town heritage, and hopefully people attending the market then revisiting Frome will strengthen our economic success for the future. 
 
The project also ties in nicely with Frome’s new Town Team’s bid last week for Frome to be a ‘Portas Pilot’ town, as the Portas Review (by Mary Portas, who visited Frome’s shops and cafes last year) recommended making much more of our towns’ markets to ensure the future of our town centres.
 
The Steering Group now includes a good mix of councillors from three parties and our three councils, and reps of the business community and market traders, who we have been pleased to help get involved. Having gained agreement on these plans, we hope the improvements can be moved forward quickly and will be a real success for Frome. 
 
Adam Boyden* (Lib Dem, Frome College ward, Mendip District Council, Shadow for Governance, Assets and Public Spaces),
Derek Tanswell* and Sharon Snook (Lib Dem Mendip District councillors for Frome Market ward),
Alvin Horsfall* (Somerset County cllr for Frome South, Mendip District Councillor for Frome Keyford) and
Maggy* Daniell (Somerset County cllr for Frome Selwood)
(*: members of the Frome Market project Steering Group)”

Not wanting to leave anyone out, I would also like to acknowledge the work and contributions of other members of the Steering Group to defining and agreeing the plans, which includes the above as well as:

• cllr Phil Ham (MDC Portfolio Holder for Governance, Assets and Public Spaces, Conservative, Coleford),
• Donna Nolan (MDC Corporate Manager for Governance, Assets and Public Spaces),
• cllr Mel Usher (Independents For Frome, Leader of Frome Town Council),
• Neil Howlett (President, Frome Chamber of Commerce),
• Vernon Anderson (Chief Executive, FTC),
• Gavin Eddy (Forward Space; Frome Artisan Market);
• Dan Price (rep of Frome Market traders), 
• cllr Peter John (Somerset County Cllr, Conservative, Frome North),
• cllr Val Horler (MDC, Con, Coleford),
• MDC Manager, Operational Assets and Contracts,
• MDC Markets Manager.