Frome has gained a reputation for its independent retailers. Even the so-called Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, has been to visit. And the privately-owned antiques, vintage clothes, CDs, crafts, books and gifts emporia are undoubtedly one of the town's great attractions. Venture a few steps away from the over-familiar brands of Market Place (Boots, Costa, Superdrug, Iceland etc) - up the steep, winding Catherine Hill or across to Cheap Street (with its rill or 'leat' running down the middle) - and you're in a different world.
But in the current climate, how much money are they making? When times are hard, "discretionary spend", we are told, is the first to go. A shabby chic table - or food on the table? A 1940s skirt - or petrol in the Skoda? I do hope the unique retail mix that is here will survive the downturn. But I do wonder...
http://www.stcatherinesfrome.co.uk
http://www.maryportas.com
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