Industry Reborn in Frome

Frome’s converted industrial quarters tell a story that stretches back three hundred years and charts a passage from wool trade to creative economy. In the eighteenth century the town’s fortunes were built on tightly woven cloth that left behind rows of mills and warehouses. Today those same buildings have been repurposed as vibrant hubs for design studios, digital start-ups and social enterprises. Exposed brick walls now carry modern inscriptions and wayfinding for co-working spaces and makers’ workshops. Generous original windows once used to dry fleeces now flood open-plan workspaces with natural light. Roofscapes that once vented steam have been fitted with photovoltaic panels, their form echoing the rhythm of historic chimney stacks. Original cast-iron machine supports and brick piers have been retained as interior features that speak of a bygone industrial process. In these restored halls, a new generation of artisans and entrepreneurs share skills in communal workbenches and host pop-up markets in ground-floor courtyards. The shift from textile production to creative services has breathed fresh life into the town centre and reimagined its industrial legacy as a catalyst for innovation and community.

Mill Conversions and Artist Studios

Adaptive conversion of mill buildings has become a defining feature of Frome’s skyline and cultural identity. The vast halls that once housed water-powered looms now accommodate a mix of artist studios, galleries and co-working suites. In many projects the original timber trusses remain exposed, their dark patina set against newly introduced white walls and polished concrete floors. Original cast-iron columns now support mezzanine levels clad in glass and steel, allowing light to penetrate deeper into the volume. Large sliding doors in reclaimed oak separate creative spaces while retaining an open, communal atmosphere. Upper floors accessible by industrial staircases have been fitted with glazed partitions to create individual workshops without sacrificing the sense of volume. Community-planned event spaces occupy former engine rooms and boiler houses, where vent shafts and iron girts have been repurposed as hanging rails for exhibition lighting. Daylight, once needed for quality control in weaving, remains abundant thanks to carefully retained glazing bars and restored mullioned windows. Sustainable upgrades include discreet heat pumps concealed in service voids and rainwater harvesting systems hidden in courtyards. Each converted mill supports a network of craft practices, from printmaking to artisan food production, forging a seamless fusion of heritage and contemporary purpose.

Market Halls as Cultural Hubs

Victorian market halls in Frome have found fresh purpose as cultural hubs while retaining their historic character. The iron-framed roofs have been repaired, preserving decorative finials and ridge cresting. Cast-iron columns now frame pop-up cafés and artisanal food stalls. Original stone plinths support glass display counters that showcase local cheese, bread and seasonal produce. LED lights hang from restored trusses to illuminate craft fairs and evening events. Balconies once used by auctioneers have been repurposed as seating areas that overlook the hall below. Behind retained brick arches, small workshops prepare ingredients for farm-to-table dinners held on long communal tables. Secondary glazing and discreet heat pumps ensure year-round comfort without altering architectural details. A green roof on one section of the hall helps manage rainwater and supports a habitat for bees and butterflies. Regular markets are now accompanied by printmaking and ceramics workshops that engage visitors in creative practice. Through adaptive reuse, these civic buildings continue to serve as meeting places and drivers of community life long after their original commercial role has passed.

Crafting Interiors with Reclaimed Materials

Interiors across Frome’s converted industrial stock celebrate the patina and provenance of reclaimed materials. Exposed floorboards salvaged from redundant barns form seating platforms and reception desks, their worn surfaces telling stories of past rural labour. Brick slips harvested from demolished walls clad feature walls in studios and galleries, preserving the original red hues of local clay. Structural steel beams etched with mill tags have found new life as shelf supports in co-working lounges. Cabinetry made from reclaimed oak and chestnut frames bespoke kitchens and breakout zones, their surfaces sealed with natural oils but allowed to retain the warmth of age. Acoustic panels woven from sheep-wool offcuts ensure comfortable sound levels while referencing the town’s woollen heritage. Lighting designs integrate salvaged glass pendant shades and copper conductors drawn from disused wiring, creating bespoke fixtures that speak of resourceful reinvention. Even door handles and balustrade returns have been rescued from local salvage yards, contributing to a coherent aesthetic that values resource efficiency and circular economy principles. This layered approach to interiors embeds sustainability in every seam and surface, celebrating material stories and strengthening Frome’s identity as a place where past and present coalesce.

Green Streets and Riverfront Regeneration

Streetscape interventions in Frome have reconnected the town to its riverfront while introducing green infrastructure that enhances both amenity and resilience. Raised boardwalks on former quay walls lead pedestrians along the River Frome, replacing unsafe footpaths with timber decks that sit above flood levels. Rain-garden planters have been inserted into pothole sites and old loading bays, using native wildflowers and grasses to filter stormwater runoff before it enters the river. Reclaimed granite setts line high streets and squares, providing textured surfaces that calm traffic and reflect local geology. Hand-forged benches crafted from salvaged metal and hardwood offer resting spots beneath newly planted street trees that replace outdated asphalt expanses. Discreet cycle parking has been tucked into recessed alcoves in historic walls, supporting active travel without cluttering pavements. Along Wharf Road a linear park follows the river course, its gently sloping lawns and wildflower meadows acting as natural floodplains when water levels rise. Interpretation panels set into flint walls celebrate the town’s industrial heritage while guiding visitors through the regenerated waterfront. Together these measures have fostered a sense of open space and environmental stewardship in the heart of Frome.

Charting Frome’s Future

Looking ahead, Frome’s industrial heartland continues to evolve through a blend of community initiative, technological innovation and heritage stewardship. Pilot net-zero retrofit programmes aim to upgrade warehouse shells with internal insulation panels that preserve original brickwork while reducing heating demand. Community land trusts are exploring mixed-use developments that combine affordable homes with workshop spaces for social enterprises. Digital heritage mapping now allows residents to visualise proposed interventions against archival imagery and building fabric. At the riverfront floating piers and amphibious structures are under study to accommodate markets and events even as water levels vary. Training workshops in traditional crafts such as timber framing and thatching revive local trades and support new employment. Collaborative events between regeneration agencies and cultural organisations propose the transformation of underused mills into venues for innovation showcases and learning programmes. Frome’s next chapter will be written by those who honour the industrial past and craft resilient, creative futures for the town.