Locally owned with 7,500 shareholders living in the area and locally managed from its Radstock Head Office, Radstock Co-operative Society has submitted a planning application to construct a purpose-built convenience supermarket on the site of the former Fromefield doctors' surgery, at the junction of Bath Road and Rodden Road.

If granted, this will be the second store that the Society has within the Frome area, demonstrating its commitment to serving the local community.

The planning application details a two-storey building of contemporary appearance with design references to the new Frome Hospital. The building aims to provide an interesting and unique focal point at the road junction with its two-tower feature and is intended to contrast and complement the surrounding residential and commercial buildings.

The store fit-out will take into consideration environmental factors such as the installation of the latest and most energy efficient freezers and chiller units.

Don Morris, Chief Executive, commented, "Following the overwhelming success of our store in the Westway Centre, we feel that the Fromefield area is the ideal location for our second store in Frome. We have strong links with the local community, due to the fact that many of our staff, members and business partners reside or operate in Frome. We feel that the development of the site to provide a community store will reduce car journeys to further afield retail outlets, thus reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.

"Our local knowledge and experience within the area, coupled with the fact that we are an independent Co-operative Society, owned by our members, means that we can give the local community a store which has the ability to respond to local preferences. We are keen to support local suppliers and, as a consequence, have developed a wide product range. We believe that currently, the Fromefield area is under-provided-for with convenience shops and we are confident that this planning application will benefit and serve the area well, contributing to its sustainability."