We are excited to announce that Fiver Fest will be coming to Frome on the 5th October! What is Fiver Fest, you ask? Part of the national Totally Locally campaign, it is one day to celebrate local businesses, often run by families or individuals, making a real contribution to our unique town. Spending just £5 a week in local shops can have a huge impact on our high streets, boosting the local economy and increasing employment. It’s also a great opportunity to step into a shop you’ve never been before and discover what makes Frome’s independents so special.

We, Share Shop, an community started and run business, will be taking part in Fiver Fest. To encourage the town to sign up and start borrowing, we will be offering £5 free credit when you join as standard or subscriber member (see our membership plans) on Saturday 5th October. Be quick though! We are open between 10am and 12pm.

This summer 5 university students began volunteering one afternoon a week at SHARE as part of a 10 week resilience placement with Frome Town Council. Not fully knowing what to expect we arrived on day one to learn a little more about what makes the shop unique and what types of customers borrow items. It was inspiring to see first hand the popularity of the shop with customers coming and going in small flurries throughout the day, intrigued to find out what else they could borrow.

Borrowing is an inventive solution to the ongoing problems with waste we as a society face. It was refreshing to see that not only is the shop helping to reduce landfill, but it also unites local business owners and residents to come together and support a common cause. The shop is more than just a borrowing space, it sparks a conversation about the importance of being aware of our consumption habits. In 2019, where advertisements for purported must have goods are aplenty, it can feel like you are never up to date with the latest trends or must have gadgets. However, that is where the SHARE shop steps in to allow you to try out items beforehand and simultaneously lend preloved goods. From parties to weddings to home renovations, the shop caters to a whole host of needs and relieves the burden of having to source storage space to house infrequently used items.

From a volunteer’s experience, working at the SHARE shop has been rewarding, fun and at times challenging. As membership numbers have risen in recent months and donations flow in, there is the task of keeping on top of logging items, coding them and organising them into appropriate categories and locations. With an abundance of musical instruments, DIY tools, garden machinery and camping equipment, there is always something to be getting on with, whether that be assessing the condition of borrowed items or adding sponsorship tags respectively. One of the more challenging aspects of the role involved putting our teamwork skills into practice when setting up tents in a nearby meadow to check they had all their constituent parts intact. On one of the warmest days in the UK, we took to the local field, wheelbarrow in tow and got to work. It was satisfying to see the bell tent holding up and knowing how quick and simple it was to construct makes borrowing equipment even more appealing for special trips away.

It was quickly apparent that many customers value SHARE, not only for its diverse inventory of items but also based on the skills and knowledge it provides to locals. SHARE is predominantly volunteer run and relies on the goodwill of others to offer their skillsets to mend items or sort through stock. Volunteering costs nothing but gives back so much. In the short space of time we have been at SHARE, a fresh insight into this innovative community project has been gained and a newfound desire to share more acquired.

Tess, Claire, Bridie, Poppy and Emma

We have lots of new items in store waiting to be borrowed for your summer holidays. Fancy trying a new hobby? Then check out our inflatable kayaks. Need something to brighten up the garden? How about out solar-powered fairy lights. Kids learning to bike ride? We have a wooden balance bike for that. For those travelling further afield, our new bell tent is proving to be a popular choice. Our fingers are crossed for some sunnier weather before the holidays finish. If not, our wide selection of tents are sure to keep you warm and dry. To check out our full inventory, click here.

Just a reminder that we will be closed on Monday 26th August for the bank holiday. We will be open and running as usual on Wednesday 28th at 10am. Why not make the most of the long weekend with a camping trip or BBQ with friends. Check out the summer items on our inventory here.

We’ve ordered a series of new items that have just arrived in the shop! If you want to grab them, be sure to reserve them quickly as they are popular demand. See our opening times below or call us to make a reservation.

First, just in time for wedding season, we have several new and sturdier gazebo shelters, these are perfect for events and parties during the summer months.

Also great for events, we have a large disco ball, which can take your party to the next level, especially if there is dancing! For only £4.00 to borrow, that’s a steal! And why not entertain the kids at the same time with our new bubble machine!

Another item that could save you a lot of money is our new PA system. A big step up from our portable PA system, with 4 large speakers and stands, and a control board, it is perfect for concerts, shows and other events. No need to buy or rent one elsewhere, when you can pay only £20.00 per week at Share.

For all you adventure lovers, we now have 2 new inflatable kayaks, whether you’re starting out in the Frome river or taking it on holiday with the family, these are a great borrow-don’t-buy item.

Lastly, for the kids, we have a brightly coloured wooden balance bike for 2-5 year olds, a great way to teach your kids to eventually ride a big bike. With dampened steering, non-slip grip handle with safety ends and soft padded adjustable seat.

So if you haven’t got your Share membership yet or it needs renewing, pop in on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10am and 4pm, or Saturday 10am to 12pm, or call us on 07983 639611.

Festival season is finally here, so if you’re getting ready to camp in the mud, dance in the heat and (most likely) not shower for a week, why not see what camping gear and other useful things we have, to make your festival experience even better?

Not only do we have tents, sleeping bags and mats, we also have cooking gear, camping tables and chairs, lights, rucksacks, a cooler box, and hammocks. You could even get creative and borrow some bunting to make your tent stand out among the sea of other tents!

Festivals are also a time of community and music, so why not borrow one of our guitars, ukuleles and drums to jam around the fire (be careful though). And to keep the kids entertained, we have all sorts of lightweight toys and games, like a hoola hoops, a play tunnel, circus trick set, paddling pool, and more.

We will be closed on again on Monday 27th May for another bank holiday. We will be open and running as usual on Wednesday 29th at 10am. Why not make the most of the long weekend and have come friends over for a bbq with our event and summer items? See our inventory here.