Something has shifted in the way people work in Somerset. It's been building for a while, but the last few years have accelerated it dramatically. More people are working remotely than ever before, and a growing number of them are choosing to do it here, in towns like Frome, rather than commuting to Bristol or Bath every day.
It's a trend that's changing the character of the town, and we think it's mostly a really good thing.
Remote work is reshaping where people choose to live
For decades, living in a beautiful market town like Frome came with a trade-off. You'd have the quality of life, but you'd spend hours every week on the A36 or crammed onto a train to get to work. Now that trade-off has largely disappeared for knowledge workers.
People are moving to Frome from London, Bristol and Bath specifically because they can work from anywhere. The town's independent spirit, creative community, and genuine sense of place make it an increasingly attractive base.
But working from home has its limits
The rise of remote work doesn't mean everyone wants to be at home all the time. In fact, the opposite is often true. Once the novelty of the home office wears off, people start to miss the structure, the social contact, and the separation between work and home life that a proper workspace provides.
That's where coworking comes in. It's the middle ground between the isolation of home working and the rigidity of a traditional office, and it suits the way a lot of people in Somerset now want to work.
Frome is well-placed to benefit
Frome already has a thriving creative and independent business community. There are designers, developers, writers, makers, consultants and entrepreneurs based here, many of them working independently or in small teams. Coworking gives that community a place to come together, share ideas, and support each other.
The Motorworks building on Butts Hill, where Yoke Hub is based, is a good example of how the town is evolving. A working creative hub in the heart of Frome, home to studios, small businesses, and a coworking space that reflects the way people actually want to work today.
What this means for the local economy
Remote workers and freelancers who are based in Frome spend money in Frome. They use local coffee shops, attend local events, and invest in the local community in a way that commuters simply can't. The more people who can work well here, rather than just sleep here, the stronger the town's economy and culture becomes.
It's something we think about a lot at Yoke Hub. We're not just offering a desk. We're trying to be part of building a working community that's good for Frome in the long run.
Join us
If you're a remote worker, freelancer, or small team based in Frome or the surrounding area, we'd love to have you at Yoke Hub. Come for a free trial day and see if it feels like home.
Get in touch at hello@yokedesign.studio and we'll put the kettle on.
