The Frome Cheese & Grain relies on income from well attended live-music events and a busy event bar. Almost all its other activities, events and uses, including markets, are subsidised by this income. The Chair of the Cheese & Grain Board of Trustees, Pepita Collins, says “the situation is under constant review, but it is likely that we will not be able to open until the live-music events are both allowed by law and are financially viable”.

The Cheese & Grain is run by a local community organisation but most of the audience for the live-music events come from outside of Frome, and most of those from outside Somerset. Pepita says “crowded indoor events that draw people from a wide area risks spreading COVID 19. The Cheese & Grain will reopen only when it’s safe to do so”.

Meanwhile the Cheese & Grain is rescheduling all its summer events and performances. Pepita says that “if you have tickets for a gig, please hang on to them, they will be automatically valid for the new date”.

For those who can’t make the new dates, or in cases where a band has been cancelled, the Cheese & Grain will be starting the process of refunding tickets from the 6th July but, as an alternative to a refund, it is also be offering credits to customer accounts. Having a credit against your customer account not only helps support the venue during this unprecedented time but will also save you money on future booking fees.

The box-office will remain closed for ticket sales and enquiries for a while yet, but meanwhile tickets for later in the year and next year can be bought on-line.

Customers can support the Cheese & Grain by attending the rescheduled gigs, by visiting the Cheese & Grain website and buying tickets for gigs in the autumn and for next year, by clicking on “membership” on the site and becoming a Friend, or by simply making a donation. All this and further updates can be found on www.cheeseandgrain.com

Pepita says customers have been understanding and loyal to the venue and wants to pass on a warm thank you for all this support during these tough times.