Inside the Indie haven Somerset town named best in UK for Christmas shopping

Frome's independent shopping scene has been a hot topic. Last year, The Times named it one of the UK's prettiest towns to go Christmas shopping in. But earlier this week, Frome and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine told Parliament she feared for Britain's High Streets, declaring that "too much is being thrown at [small businesses] with insufficient support.”

Mentioning Frome during her speech, the Liberal Democrat MP went on to say that "for the last nine years, small businesses and local high streets have felt the burden of economic instability and other pressures", before calling on the government to do more to support them.

Whilst the independent shops and businesses of our community are to be celebrated, in recent years, they have felt the impact of economic, societal and consumer change.

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“For the last nine years, small businesses and local high streets have felt the burden of economic instability and other pressures. The shops and businesses that still exist have fought hard to protect themselves, and they have in many ways defied the odds” Anna said during the debate.

She added: "They have had to adapt to changing consumer trends, compete with the rise of online retail giants, navigate Covid-19, and survive the mini-Budget and the subsequent impact on mortgage rates and disposable income, which is still being felt.”

Frome's independent businesses are therefore both celebrated and seen as fragile. With all the buzz surrounding the town, we headed to Frome to see if it lives up to the hype.

Our journey took us everywhere from the otherworldly Medieval Cheap Street to the steep but worthwhile Catherine Hill to find some of the best Christmas shopping spots in Frome.

Three spellbinding independent bookshops

A small town with three indie bookshops is one after my own heart. I trust no one will be offended by me grouping them together, as the shopkeepers I spoke to said they are all deeply supportive of one another and sometimes redirect a customer to their sister shop if they don't stock what they're looking for.

Frome Bookshop is the first you'll encounter walking into town from the train station. Stacked floor to ceiling with rare finds, Frome Bookshop specialises in old and antique books.

For more modern titles, head down Cheap Street for Winstone's Hunting Raven Books. In the bright and airy front room you'll find fiction. Head to the backroom for non-fiction and a lovely seat to recline in while you read.

Up Catherine Hill is the youngest and perhaps the most unique of the three bookshops, the Sherlock & Pages. Frome's newest bookshop only recently celebrated their first birthday and specialises in books about nature and conservation. They even offer a monthly book subscription service!

Browsing each shop, it wasn't hard to see why the relationship between these bookshops is supportive rather than competitive. Each offers something completely different to Frome and to your Christmas shop.

Rave from the Grave

With digital media dominating the market, Rave from the Grave brings physical discs back to life with its two-storey catalogue of DVDs, records and CDs. Their library truly has something for everyone, symbolised by the cardboard cut-out of David Bowie right next to Taylor Swift.

The vastness of their catalogue cannot be understated: there's a whole section for Beatles DVDs. Not CDs. DVDs. Upstairs, there's a cosy corner with a record player, CD player and headphones so you can give an album a try before you buy.

Rave from the Grave feels like a grand mausoleum to the way we were, back when we not only brought DVDs but would happily pay £9.99 for one. But perhaps discs are coming back from the dead: after all, if you buy a Netflix or Spotify subscription, you don't really own anything.

Netflix could take away your favourite film at anytime. But if you own it on DVD, it's yours. Forever (or for as long as you don't scratch up the disc). As for Christmas shopping, what feels more personal: buying your cousin a Spotify voucher or a beautifully preserved copy of their favourite album on Vinyl?

And if discs really are a dead or dying phenomenon, then why not have a rave from the grave?

Truly Sopel

Truly Sopel is a local fashion designer who has been inspired by the things she loved growing up. Barbie, for example, is a big inspiration and makes an appearance in the shop window. In setting up her self-titled clothes shop, she's managed to create a dreamscape of soft pastel pinks and white satin.

There's lingerie, pyjamas, pillows and some day clothes. While there are many lingerie businesses on the market, most focus on being sexy: Truly Sopel focuses more on being fun. Frilly white satin knickers are on sale themed around days of the week and seasons. Jumpers that simply say 'Autumn' or 'Spring' with a cute doodle of some flowers offer an earnest simplicity to the collection.

If you have a woman in your life, definitely give the boutique a visit this Christmas. Or, maybe you don't have a woman in your life: maybe you are the woman in your life. In which case, 'tis the season to treat yourself.

The Haunts Curiosity Shoppe

From the gloriously girly to the dark and gothique, onto The Haunts Curiosity Shoppe.

There couldn't be a more perfect place for this witchy boutique than Cheap Street, a narrow Medieval alley with a gentle stream (or 'leat') running through the middle. If there were witches, this would be where they live.

The Haunts Curiosity Shoppe is set up much like a witch's cave, with a ghost and a broom hanging suspended from the ceiling for maximum spook-factor. The door to the staff room has been done up like the entrance to a cottage in the deep, dark woods. Even the shop assistant was dressed in all black.

You cannot fault the commitment to the theme. You don't buy perfume here, you buy 'cemetery air'. The scented candles have names like 'Broomlore'. The incense - which has the seasonally appropriate ingredients of mistletoe, frankincense and myrrh -is described as 'Solstice Magic'.

The atmosphere alone is enough to make visiting worthwhile. But if you have a friend or family member who likes more offbeat presents, the Haunts Curiosity Shoppe might be an essential stop.