THE HISTORY OF THE CHEESE & GRAIN

The Cheese & Grain building dates from 1874 when it was purpose-built as the ‘New Market Hall’ and the Frome Market Company was established to run it. In 1875 the building housed a busy market which was linked to a Railway line at the back. The produce sold at the market was loaded onto railway wagons and transported to other parts of the country.

Tyres stored in the original building, pre-town council works

From as long ago as the 10th Century a market has existed in Frome and its presence has helped form the basis of the town’s cultural identity. This replacement for the covered market at the bottom of Cheap Street was intended as an adjunct to the weekly cattle and livestock market, which moved to the Market Yard from the Market Place in the middle of town at about the same time. As its name suggests, the building was primarily intended for the temporary storage and sales of locally produced cheeses and various grain crops. Much of this produce was brought in by rail and unloaded into the back (east) of the building across bridges or down chutes, traces of which can still be seen.

The Cheese & Grain building in the mid-90's

Such use, including general produce markets, continued until the 1914-18 War, when the building was commandeered and turned into a munitions factory, as part of Singer’s war effort. It reverted to its former uses in the 1920’s and 30’s, and was also used for occasional Trade Exhibitions. By the late 1950’s it was no longer in use as a market and was taken over by the then Frome Urban District Council and sold for industrial purposes in 1963.

In subsequent years, several semi-permanent extensions were added to the original building and leased to various businesses - the last to trade there were Ben Chairs and Frontline Kitchens. The main building continued to deteriorate and, until 1997, was used as a temporary store for large quantities of used tyres from all types of vehicles. The Frome Canoe Club used one of the extensions until 1997, when they were re-housed in the rear of the main building as a temporary ‘home’.

The Cheese & Grain from the car park in the mid-90's

In the 1990's it was bought by Mendip District Council and leased to Frome Town Council for redevelopment as a Community Centre. The Town Council undertook a programme of repairs and refurbishment to develop the building for a variety of community uses, e.g. a covered market, entertainments requiring a large open space, and all the activities that until then took place in the existing timber Market Hall. The Cheese & Grain opened for public use on Saturday 12th September 1998.

In October 2001 noise issues led to the building being closed for further soundproofing and acoustic works, as well as the addition of a vast new mezzanine floor suitable for offices and brand new bar facilities. July 2002 saw the hall return with a vast new line-up of live events and exciting new markets.

In April 2003 the building was leased by the Town Council to  an independent charity which manages the building and its activities for community use. For more information about Frome Cheese & Grain Ltd click on Aims & Objectives.

The Cheese & Grain today