Over the 15 + years that we have been working on the Silk Mill and running the business we have built up quite a library of contacts. Here are many of the local suppliers and services who we recommend because we have worked with (linked if they have websites).
They are grouped by activity. There are builders etc as well as the providers of hospitality services.
(Updated Nov 2022, please let me know if any of the links are not working!)
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| Josh Brudenell 07758 848522 joshan76@gmail.com | Josh is a builder who has project managed much of the work that has been done to the Silk Mill since 2014. He also makes planning applications when necessary. He works with several of the people listed here. |
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| Gwynn Jenkins 07808 296929 gwynnjenkins@gmail.com | Gwynn is a very talented carpenter who can also work metal. He has worked on the Silk Mill intermittently since 2007 | ||
| Gareth Evans 07976 404395 garethlynnevans@yahoo.co.uk | Gareth is a very talented woodworker and has helped us out on many of the floors of the Silk Mill, most recently the beautiful new floor of Silk Mill west upstairs. He and his wife Lottie run Bistro Lotte at Badcox, highly recommended eatery/hostelry. | ||
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| Joe Hann 07807 041738 jlhann13@googlemail.com | Joe is the partner of a wonderful jeweller and bridal accessory maker Clare Lloyd who has a studio at the Silk Mill. He has been our go-to electrican for many years now. | ||
| First Choice Commercial Care +44 7443 506155 | Colin from FCCC will come and sort out mobile devices such as fridges, kettles, dishwashers etc. Brilliant value and responsive when you need him! | ||
| Sturman Craig 07743 643452 (Andy) 07747 722077 (Pete) info@sturmancraigelectricalservices.co.uk | We asked Joe (above) to do our 5 year electrical certification but it was rather a lot for one person to take on so we went to Pete Sturman & Andy Craig who were brilliant. | ||
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| Mike Massey 07979 658758 | Tends to be available more evenings & weekends. | ||
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| Andy Jones 07894 328029 | Andy Jones and his friend Andy Smart rebuilt the roof of the Silk Mill in 2011. They put up with the Moore family providing much of the person-power and did an amazing job! AJ has returned to troubleshoot the very few problems we have had since. He is a very skilled lead artist too. | ||
| Tony Weller 07887 705545 | Tony has helped out when we had the odd leak in lower rooves than the main building. | ||
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| Bear in mind that we now have our two canopies up between May and the end of October. | |||
| Tensile Fabric 0117 381 2016 mail@tensilefabric.co.uk | Tim Youde from Tensile Fabric designed our newest canopy using engineering principles. It works a treat! | ||
| Materia 01373 836008 info@materiaproducts.co.uk | This company is based in Whatley just outside Frome and they have made the awning and seat covers for us for several years. They are brilliant!newest canopy using engineering principles. It works a treat! | ||
| Copper Mill Hire Company info@coppermillhire.co.uk | Local rustic reclaimed furniture hire for events | ||
| Prickly Pear Stretch Tents 07825 828671 07790 270742 pricklypearstretchtents@gmail.com | Bristol based marquee/tent company with beautiful tents available. | ||
| Vintage Marquees 01249 716119 caroline@vintagemarquees.co.uk | Great local company marquee with a pretty two pointed tent that fits well outside the gallery door. They also hire out a huge variety of furniture and decorations. |
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| South West Marquees 01373 836999 info@southwestmarquees.co.uk | Local marquee hire company based in Nunney. They know the site so may quote without site visit | ||
| Abbas Marquees 01749 890909 Enquiry@abbasmarquees.co.uk | Marquee hire company based at Pilton. | ||
| Party Bench 07766 883037 partybench@gmail.com | These guys are based in Frome and sound lovely. | ||
| Curated Canvas 07599 516951 hello@curatedcanvas.co.uk | Hire furniture etc rather than marquees. They have an interesting & eclectic selection of furniture & decorations for hire | ||
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| September House, Facebook Page September House, Website 07484755058 bruce.martin@brucemartin.co.uk | September House are a small family farm based at Horningsham very near Frome. They raise their own animals for the delicious pies and flans that they make. | ||
| First Press Hospitality 07468 469714 james@firstpressrecruitment.com | These guys appear in 2 categories as they offer catering as well as bar and staff services. | ||
| Fat Radish 01373 596102 info@fatradish.co.uk | Fat Radish, sister restaurant to The River House, spent 5 years operating as a successful restaurant in Frome before making the decision to focus solely on wedding and events catering. Ellen Porteous who runs it has a personal licence and a great team who are efficient at switching the gallery round from ceremony setup to mealtime. The food they create is wonderful! They are a very good solution to food and alcohol. They have catered etc for many weddings at the Silk Mill and all the feedback has always been excellent. |
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| Ember & Vine james@embersandvine.uk | They say “Ember and Vine is the marriage between owners Sean and Mary's two loves, smoked foods and wine.” They live in Frome and have not yet catered here but they sound absolutely yummy! |
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| chickchakfalafel chikchakfalafel@gmail.com | These vegan/vegetarian makers of falafels have a stall in Frome Market on a Saturday. Their food is delicious! | ||
| Ebbie's Kitchen 07782 369 896 ebbie@ebbieskitchen.co.uk | Will do bar as well as food, know the Silk Mill well and produce excellent delicious food. Very lovely helpful team. | ||
| Cafe Bon Bon Ice Cream Tricycle 07515 893294 cafebonicecream@aol.com | These guys have been here several times and they are a wonderful way to have a snack at tea time to stave off the pangs before the big feast… kid friendly alternative to canapés! | ||
| The Coexist Community Kitchen food@coexistuk.org | They say: "We're a non-profit community kitchen, cookery school and catering team. We run free cookery classes with those accessing support services in the community, working with a number of organisations including drug & alcohol services, refugee & asylum support and mental health services. We see food as the most simple and easy way to support each other as we help to build a stronger, healthier and more joyful society. To help to fund these courses, we offer a full catering service for events and weddings, offering beautiful, seasonal and locally-sourced dishes." At the Silk Mill we think this sounds a fantastic venture and we look forward to their first visit! |
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| Mrs B's Catering 01373 452593 office@mrsbscaringcatering.co.uk | Great local company who regularly sell produce at the monthly independent market. | ||
| Vero's Kitchen 07507 770158 verosegura83@hotmail.com | Vero has was in charge of the food side of the Tapas (under the excellent guidance of Josh Brudenell) for the most recent (2019) Frome Festival Cantina, and brillant it was too. She has catered for several other events at the Silk Mill and her food is always wonderful and excellent value. | ||
| Mexican Street Food 07827 967 232 info@mizstreetfood.co.uk | We have not met these caterers yet but they sound awesome, tell us what you think if you go for them for your event. They have a food truck that they can bring along if you wish. The pricing starts from £12per head not including staff and travel. | ||
| Miranda Catering mirandacatering@mail.com | Makes lovely canapés and is the in house caterer at Drawing Projects in Trowbridge | ||
| Figs Catering 01458 273674 07774 590442 info@figscatering.net | Recently catered for a wedding and generally agreed to be very good indeed! | ||
| Alba 07555 684141 bruce@feastalba.co.uk | This group operates out of Wells, they are catering for an event this summer (24) and it all sounds lovely! | ||
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| Share: Frome 07983 639611 (opening hours only) | SHARE Frome is a Library of Things. Like a normal library, you sign up as a member and borrow items you need. | ||
| Davies & Davies Crockery Hire 07812 365430 01373 836122 | Run by Patrick Twigger who offers cutlery and crockery for events which he takes away unwashed. He can also provide bar licence cover with and without bar at the Silk Mill. He lives locally. | ||
| Frome Eco-Party fromeecoparty@gmail.com | Local intitative to reduce the waste that parties can generate! | ||
| Country Crockery 07920 875096 info@countrycrockeryhire.com | Our tableware, glassware and cutlery collections echo the latest design trends whilst remaining timeless in style. | ||
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| PLEASE NOTE: It is fine to bring your own alcohol (and/or ask your guests to BYOB) but do not then ask a bar to provide a paying service as they then do not sell enough to make it worth their while. If you are bringing your own then you will STILL need to pay someone to oversee the alcohol consumption. The Silk Mill does not charge any extra corkage. You can have one arrangement for the lunch time then have a different one for the evening so long as everyone involved is clear about what you are doing. |
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| Dike & Son 01963 362204 info@dikeandson.co.uk | Dike and Son are based in Stallbridge and they have a clever system whereby you pay them and then some of the bar profit comes off that so you get something back afterwards. They were very solicitous about the venue and organised everything beautifully, helping out with the food service when needed. | ||
| pony & tap 07580869378 info@ponyandtap@gmail.com | pony & tap have an adorable horsebox from which they serve. It fits into the Silk Mill courtyard beautifully! | ||
| First Press Hospitality 07468 469714 james@firstpressrecruitment.com | These guys appear in 2 categories as they offer catering as well as bar and staff services. | ||
| Katie Butcher 07891 085571 katiebutcher7@yahoo.com | Katie has a personal licence and knows the Silk Mill well. If she cannot help she has access to others who may be able to. | ||
| Patrick Twigger 07812 365430 or 01373 836122 | Patrick has provided bar licence cover with and without bar at the Silk Mill. He also has a business providing cutlery and crockery for events which he takes away unwashed. | ||
| Palmer Street Bottle 07971 012611 info@palmerstbottle.co.uk | Palmer Street Bottle have looked after the alcohol needs for many events at the Silk Mill. They know the site well and run an excellent bar very nearby. | ||
| C M Events callumrmcbrayne@gmail.com | These people do bars and have bar staff available, they have not been to the Silk Mill yet so let us know if you employ them and we will update | ||
| Talana Fear 07908 051533 talana.mooney@yahoo.com | Talana has worked behind the bar at the Silk Mill several times. She has a personal licence and is happy to be just paid for her hours there to cover our licence requirements. | ||
| More Wine 07940 732012 rich@morewine.co.uk | Properly selected French (& other) wines in 10litre, 5 litre & 3 litre boxes… cuts down on waste. Will do sale or return for unopened boxes. | ||
| Averys 03330 148208 | Purveyors of wine based in Bristol | ||
| Cheddar Ales 01934 744193 webmail@cheddarales.co.uk | Cheddar Ales can supply delicious bag in box ale, Rich's Cider and bottled beers. They are in Cheddar but can deliver to Frome, but collecting it from Cheddar, driving over the Mendips and down Deer Leap is half the fun! We highly reccommend their products! | ||
| The Griffin 01373 467766 admin@milkstreetbrewery.co.uk | Local microbrewery | ||
| Jolly Hucksters 07971 817597 jollyhucksters@gmail.com | Bar service at a wedding in 2023, provided a great service | ||
| Bath Ales 0117 9474797 hare@bathales.co.uk | These guys do beers on tap and in casks as well as ciders | ||
| Lilley’s Cider 07594 926565 lilleyscider@aol.co.uk | Very Local, great selection of ciders you can try in Frome | ||
| King Brain Cider 01963 441233 kingbrain@btconnect.com | Lovely Somerset farm cider brewed from ancient orchards | ||
| 23 Bath Street 07595 974680 craig.webber@hotmail.com | Full bar service or they can just provide staff at whatever level you need. | ||
| Big Bars (Airstream Bar) 07580 673753 robin@bigbars.co.uk | Full bar service from an airstream van! | ||
| Scout & Sage 07786 240505 holly@scoutandsagespirits.com | Travelling Gin bar in a horse box! They say: “We create our own small batch, limited edition Scout & Sage Gins with different Master Distillers. Our mission is to distil a gin in every region of Britain!” We have not tried them yet but they sound interesting! | ||
| Bohemian Bars 07977 477671 bohemianbars@yahoo.co.uk | Lovely bar services, they will either do the whole bar for you or just hire the equipment that you need | ||
| Arabuko Bar arabukobar@gmail.com | Great bar that came to the Silk Mill in 2022 | ||
| Espensen Spirit 07957 361717 info@espensenspirit.com | Lovely bunch of people who came from Bristol to do a bar for a couple of weddings. Very professional, great service, and they make their own gin! | ||
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| Bistro Lotte 01373 300646 info@bistrolottefrome.co.uk | Lotte and Gareth run this excellent bistro a short walk from the Silk Mill at the top of Catherine Hill/Street. They also have excellent accommodation. One wedding recently booked all 6 of their luxury ensuite rooms. Gareth is a very talented carpenter and has done a lot for the Silk Mill itself. | ||
| Combe Grove 01225 834644 hello@combegrove.com | An interesting project… this beautiful luxury hotel (with spa and pools inclusive for hotel guests) is also a charitable apprenticeship project where multiple skills are being acquired. They have 40 rooms and say “Receive a 15% discount on any group booking of 5 rooms or more when you quote “Silk Mill”. And we’ll treat the bride and groom to a bottle of bubbly.” We visited but have not yet had anyone stay there. Feedback welcomed! They are talking of a minibus service that could be used by wedding parties as they are a few miles from Frome. (dog friendly!) | ||
| Stonewall Manor | Elizabethan Manor house right in the town and can sleep at least 28 if you have the anexe too. (on Air BnB it says: 16 guests, 9 bedrooms, 13 beds, 5 bathrooms)! We had a wedding party stay there who were very happy with it. I have visited; it is quite a place, a bit heavy on the dark wood furniture but a really good size and well within walking distance of the Mill. I took lots of photos which you can see here. | ||
| The Old Granary Bradford-on-Avon Trish Bowles: 07880359313 01225 722246 stay@churchfarmcottages.com | They say: “The Old Granary is situated in the countryside, just 5 miles from Bath and within a mile from Hartley Farm Shop & Café, the village pub and shop. A beautiful, award-winning converted barn that sleeps up to 12 people. Indoor heated pool and games room available at Church Farm, ¾ mile down the lane.” I am planning to go and visit soon, will report back! |
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| The Archangel 01373 456111 hello@archangelfrome.com | Nearest and very nicely appointed hotel and restaurant. (dog friendly!) | ||
| The George Hotel 01373 462584 georgehotel@wadworth.co.uk | (The link takes you to Wadworth's main site and you have to search for the George in Frome) 28 rooms varying from singles at around £60 to premium ensuite and family rooms up to £140 in high season. Very centrally located in town (so some rooms on the front might not be all that quiet) and will do discounts for bulk booking for weddings. Speak to Dawn. I have not looked at all of it but the rooms I have seen are nicely done, fairly traditional. | ||
| Jackdaw Cottage, Bruton 07906 242296 jackdawcottagebruton@gmail.com | A really beautiful cottage with 2 bedrooms in Bruton, no detail has been left unperfected in this lovingly created space. | ||
| Bruton has several other airbnb places that the Jackdaw Cottage people recommend so if you were to go for Bruton as your main accommodation spot there would be plenty of good choice… including: | |||
| Bower House Tree House 01749 812707 info@bowerhouseconstruction.co.uk | Totally amazing tree house (between Bruton and Frome) that we have been lucky enough to stay in ourselves. Sleeps 2 and has all mod cons you could wish for including hot tub on the terrace! 2 night minimum stay and not cheap but a real treat. | ||
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| Luke Emery, Nomad Live 07929 623764 luke@nomadalive.co.uk | These guys really understand the unusual acoustics in the Gallery. Luke also does a busking stage at the Independent Market (1st Sunday of every month except Jan/Feb) and knows lots of excellent local musicians. | ||
| Maltings Audio 07963 416034 maltingsaudio@aol.com | Doug has managed the sound for many events at the Silk Mill and understands the space well. | ||
| Stage to Sound 07817 405269 hugo@stage2sound.com | They say: "Full event support from some microphones and a screen to full consultation and design. Years of experience, professional equipment and technical expertise delivered to your budget. Local" |
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| Captain Cactus and the Screaming Harlots | Really good local band | ||
| The Hammervilles 07714 991 047 thehammervilles@gmail.com | The Hammervilles have not played here yet but they contacted us and they sound really great and one of them is getting married at the Silk Mill in 2020! If you invite them will you give us some feedback so that I can update this listing? Thanks | ||
| The Lucky Pierres ccsmdr@bath.ac.uk | Local band that gets everyone dancing brilliantly! | ||
 | Security has to be organized through an accredited organization. We know it is a pain but you need a guard per 75 people so if you have 150 people in the evening you will need two security people. | ||
| Vista Security 0845 226 0589 info@vistarsecurity.com | Trowbridge based security team who have worked at the Silk Mill over the years. | ||
| Prosec Consultancy 01373 228055 info@prosec-ltd.com | Prosec Consultancy Ltd. They do Glasto, Shambala, Longleat etc. Based in Westbury |
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| Lester Silk 07581 042365 lestersilk@hotmail.com | Lester Silk/Carley Watts at CSS Security. |
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| Magician, Chris Hiscock | This guy was brilliant entertainment for all ages at a wedding in 2022. He is based locally. | ||
| Black Cat Bindery 01749 860679 info@blackcatbindery.com | Lovely local bookbinder who makes memorial presentation books to order. | ||
| Postscript 01373 462466 postscript@postscriptfrome.co.uk | Lovely shop in the centre of Frome. They will print your invitations or whatever your paper needs are! | ||
| Golden Goose | This is one among the very many gorgeous shops in Frome that has a wealth of gifts, decorations and much much more. | ||
| Willie’s Cacao 01884 840 222 shop@williescacao.com | Really excellent chocolate packaged interestingly. I have samples if you would like to try… | ||
| Tongue tied | Lovely list of words about love! Follow the link to find out what Tiám means and where it hails from! | ||
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| Clare Lloyd AND Colour Designs 07974 421574 clare.colourdesigns@gmail.com | Clare has a studio at the Silk Mill and she makes beautiful jewellery. She has a website for her regular things and another for her wedding accessories | ||
| Roderick Vere 07717 723134 roderick@roderickvere.com | Jeweller who has a studio at the Silk Mill, you can do a workshops with him to create your own jewellery. | ||
| Christina Oswin 01373 472505 christina@christinaoswin.co.uk | Very near the Silk Mill, excellent jeweller. Also good at mending & adapting jewellery. | ||
| Annette Gabbedey 01373 454145 shop@annettegabbedey.com | On the wonderful Catherine Hill, Annette's jewellery is part of the lovely things you can find there! | ||
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| Sarah Godsill at Event Illustration | Brilliant local artist who will come and paint/sketch at any and all stages of your event as you wish. | ||
| Aimae Laoise Photography aimee@aimeelaoisephotography.com | Local photographer who specialises in family images. | ||
| Peter Wilbourne 07816 409984 peterwilbourne@gmail.com | Locally based excellent photographer. | ||
| Pip Newland Photography 07780 611671 | Interesting and unusual photography of weddings and other events | ||
| Alice Whitby 07917 797549 email@alicewhitby.com | Alice has photographed three weddings at the Silk Mill and has had fabulous feedback. We love her pictures of the Mill! | ||
| Spencer Dungey/Love of Mine 07377 600068 spencer@loveofmine.co.uk | Australian photographer who has moved to Frome with his family. | ||
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| Bramble & Wild (Flowers) 01373 473788 hello@brambleandwild.com | Lovely Catherine Hill flower and shop | ||
| Event Flag Hire 01749 850991 hello@eventflaghire.co.uk | The most beautiful collection of bunting and flags. They will put it up for you or just send it to you for you to do your own thing in the usual Silk Mill way! | ||
| Jigantics (huge artificial flowers) 07984 679421 info@Jigantics.com | Fabulous gigantic flowers often seen at festivals (they are based in Frome) | ||
| Crescent Moon Chandeliers 01373 454147 07976 369360 simon@crescent-moon.co.uk | Wonderful enormous chandelier selection. Local company that hires to film sets and events. They did a photoshoot of their wares at the Silk Mill in Sept ‘19 | ||
| Amy Spicer 07974 836270 amy@octoberstudios.co.uk | Designer at October Studios and partner to More Wine, offere wonderful original chandeliers of flowers and fabrics; work very well on our 7 beams | ||
| Minty's at Garston Nurseries,Garston, Frome BA11 1RU 01373 462123 | They are a really old-school business based a within a mile of the Silk Mill. They do not have a website but are incredibly reasonable and lovely! Several couples have used their services and been delighted. | ||
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| Tony’s Cabs Frome | 01373 464444 | ||
| Arrow Taxis - Frome - | 01373 470110 | ||
| ABC taxis of Frome - | 01373 452211 | ||
| Bruton and Mendip Taxi | 07984 465864 | ||
| Swift Taxi - Shepton Mallet - | 01749 340820 | ||
| Regal Taxi - Shepton Mallet - | 01749 347750 | ||