Frome Town Council and the Cheese and Grain are working together to explore the feasibility of developing a new £1m training and backstage service annex at the venue. An architect, or architectural practice, is sought to take the scheme to RIBA stage 3 with a report completed no later than 12 December 2021.

Because of very tight funding and delivery timeframes, only practices that can start work on the project immediately on appointment can be considered. Expressions of interest must be submitted by 5 pm on Monday 25 October. Interviews will take place on Thursday 28 October at the Cheese and Grain. Applicants will not be expected to bring any design proposals to the selection meeting but will need to demonstrate their capacity to develop a suitable design within the timeframe.

Click here to view the design brief and e-mail Peter Wheelhouse on [email protected] to express an interest. If you would like to discuss the design brief or arrange to visit the site, please phone Steve Macarthur on 07956 949919.

Cheese and Grain (C&G) is a community owned, not-for-profit social enterprise, registered as a charity. Its chief activity is running the Cheese and Grain music and events venue. The venue has an

830-capacity main auditorium, a suite of meeting rooms, a bar and cafe. It also has a recording and sound engineering studio in the top floor at the very rear of the building.

Over the past eight years just over £1m has been spent improving facilities at the C&G. It has developed it business to the extent that it now needs no public revenue subsidy. Not only are its day to day running costs met by trading, but it also uses its social enterprise income to provide a range of services and support activities to the local community.

A key partner throughout the C&G's development has been Frome Town Council, acting both as a "good landlord" and a creative and committed investor.

The Cheese and Grain is establishing a reputation as a centre for training and professional development for a wide range of music industry specialisms, including sound and light engineering and it is currently running apprenticeship/trainee and internship schemes.