Frome Town Council took over the Key Centre, a former Sure Start centre on The Mount, in 2025 as part of devolution from Somerset Council. The building has been refreshed, rebranded and is now regularly occupied by local community groups and organisations including an armed forces outreach group, a family law clinic and local charity Purple Elephant’s youth club. Longstanding space users Fair Frome continue to offer their weekly Food at Five session at the Key Centre on Mondays from 5pm, offering a free or low-cost hot meal. Spaces of various sizes are available to hire by the hour on a regular or ad hoc basis.
Following the success of a pop-up cafe by local arts organisation Terrestrial at the centre in December and January, a series of regular drop-in cafe sessions runs throughout the week, including a family stay and play with Frome Birth Talk on Tuesdays from 9.30am to 1pm; an ‘open house’ drop in on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm; Purple Elephant’s ‘Tea and Toasties’ group for young people aged 12 and over on Wednesday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm and an affordable pop-up cafe hosted by The Pod on Thursdays from 8.30am to 3pm.
From 27 April to 8 May, the Key Centre is hosting a ‘listening fortnight’ event, to gather people’s thoughts on the project so far and find out what else they would like to see happen in the space. On Saturday 2 May, a drop-in session on Tower View play area will run (time tbc) where people can share their thoughts by completing a brief survey or just talking to the team on the day. Engagement Officer Liz will also be out and about at The Mount and in the Key Centre most days during the Listening Fortnight.
Cllr Andy Jones said: “It’s wonderful to see the Key Centre back in action, serving the local and wider community and providing a space for connection and fun as well as a home for much-needed support services. Please take a moment to take part in the Listening Fortnight between 27 April and 8 May, either online at My Frome, by completing a paper form at the Key Centre or just talking to the team at one of the drop-in cafes or on Saturday 2 May.”
To find out more about booking spaces at the Key Centre for meetings, parties or regular events, please visit tinyurl.com/hire-the-key-centre . Find what’s on information at tinyurl.com/key-centre-whats-on. Complete the Listening Fortnight survey at myfrome.co.uk from 27 April.
