Small venue that attracts biggest names in industry reveals expansion plans
2025-01-13
Category: entertainment

Bosses of a small music venue, where the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and Coldplay have played, have shared new details about their expansion plans.Frome's Cheese and Grain, in Somerset, attracts some of the biggest names in the industry, and hopes to expand to support upcoming artists.Under the proposals, a new centre with affordable rehearsal space and more editing suites would be built.Peter Wheelhouse, From Town Council's deputy clerk, said: "The project will have significant benefits for the community, including a scaling up of accredited vocational training." 
He added the project could also create local apprenticeship opportunities and new links between the Cheese and Grain and colleges, universities and employers.  "Somerset Council has already indicated their support for the project and we are working closely with their officers to try to secure central government funding," Mr Wheelhouse added.
The plans are expected to cost about £1.7m, and could be paid for through the government's levelling up scheme, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It was one of four cultural venues within the former Mendip area which were included within a £5m bid to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in late-2024 – with the government expected to announce the outcome of the bid in spring.An application to extend the Cheese and Grain's sub-lease of the site and a "minor adjustment to the boundary of the leased area" has been submitted to the town council.Proposals also include the installation of a lift large enough for a grand piece, new storage facilities, and a third wheelchair-accessible toilet and washroom.Frome Town Hall will discuss the application on Wednesday at a full council meeting.
Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.