Frome Business Tips

(Frome, Somerset, England, UK)

The town of Frome has a number of businesses located in and around the town centre. These include shops, newsagents, supermarkets, banks and estate agents. Also, Marston Trading Estate, on the outskirts of Frome, has many large and thriving businesses, such as carpet shops, garages, a large garden centre, haulage firms, software companies, window specialists and engineering firms, including Singers, one of Frome's oldest and most famous companies.

Business Hours and General Etiquette

In both dress and manners, locals in Frome are fairly formal and normal business courtesies should still be observed. The degree of formality necessary depends upon the actual nature of the business, with financial and legal professions being more formal than computer and media organizations. Many men still wear suits and short sleeve shirts are acceptable in the summer months in Frome. Woman may also wear suits, but tend to be more casual in appearance.


Business hours in the Frome area are usually from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:30, although some offices may close slightly later. Many shops are open longer and often throughout the weekends, and some supermarkets in the area are open 24 hours. Banks in the town generally open from 09:00 to 17:00 and larger branches also open on Saturday mornings.

Working lunches are a popular way to do business in Frome and locals are quick to use first-name terms when appropriate. Most restaurants in this part of Somerset have an informal and relaxed dress code. Drinks or dinner is a popular way to end the hard working week and there are many pubs and wine bars that are popular with local businessmen and women.

Greeting Someone

A brief and friendly handshake is usually the customary greeting in Frome and generally throughout England. New acquaintances are often addressed on first name terms in Frome.

Smoking

Many restaurants in Frome have a strict 'no smoking' policy, although some do tend to cater for smokers in different areas. Most offices and businesses are now 'non-smoking' and although the British have neither a positive nor a negative attitude to smoking, it is best to only smoke when in the company of like-minded people.