Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us about our April market, following the recent government press conference regarding delaying the spread of Covid-19. We would like you all to know that we are following the guidance of Public Health England and are waiting for news on a possible government ban on outdoor events like The Frome Independent.

Whilst at present we are working as normal to bring you our next market on Sunday 5th April, our team of experienced event staff are closely monitoring all developments in the government’s advice. The health and safety of our crew, staff, traders and visitors, and that of our fellow Frome residents, is paramount and we will continue to closely monitor the guidance from Public Health specialists and will take their advice to cancel our April market if this becomes necessary.

The Frome Independent is a not-for-profit social enterprise, run by a team of Frome residents. We are supported by an incredible crew of local event staff, as well as local contractors and suppliers from Frome and the wider local area. Whether or not we are able to go ahead in April, we are acutely aware of the negative impact that social distancing measures will have on our organisation, the people who help bring us the market each month, and the independent traders and small businesses in our community.

We currently have around 500 traders on our books, all of which are independent businesses that are already working extremely hard in a challenging economic climate.  While health and safety is the top priority for all of us right now, we would urge those of you who can to show your support for independent shops and traders; whether that’s in the form of buying online from those businesses with websites, purchasing vouchers that can be redeemed later in the year, or just by sharing the love about your favourite makers, vintage traders or food producers on social media. We will be posting about our traders as usual in the run up to April, and releasing some online buying guides too.

We will update you about markets both here on our website, and through our Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram accounts as things develop. In the meantime we’d like to wish you all a safe passage through the next few weeks.