Old Printworks offers best of both worlds to health coach Ali after Frome move 

The monthly Frome Independent street market is renowned for its ability to attract people from across the South West of England in search of something special.

But its pulling power can now boast the ability to persuade people to up sticks and move 200 miles to make their home in the Somerset town and Acorn Property’s Old Printworks development.

That proved to be the case with health coach Ali Hutchinson who fell in love with the town while visiting the market.

“I’d heard good things from friends about Frome, but the charms of the market proved irresistible,” said Ali.

“We’d been toying with the idea of swapping the East Midlands for the South West for quite a while.

“Then two good friends passed away and it made my husband and I realise how short life is. You’ve got to make things happen and grab life with both hands.”

Ali and her husband headed from Rutland to the South West to look for a new home before falling for Frome and the Old Printworks.

“We checked out a fair few places but ultimately the vibrant street market confirmed Frome was THE place for us,” Ali said.

“We didn’t really know what we were letting ourselves in for. We just felt an incredible vibe around the market which epitomises Frome.

“It’s a place for people from all walks of life. It suited us as we felt a real passion locally for a greener, more holistic way of life.

“We quickly figured out Frome would be the perfect place to call home and that’s proved to be the case because since we arrived, we’ve been blown away by the area.”

Ali, who used to work in corporate communications, now runs her own business from her new home as an Intuitive Health Coach, helping people make positive health and lifestyle choices.

“Both professionally and personally, living in Frome works for me and we love our home in the Old Printworks development,” Ali continued.

“It’s a quality, contemporary home, but it also boasts impressive sustainability credentials; from use of eco-stock bricks and triple-glazing to the consideration of biodiversity across the site.

“It felt good to be buying a home at a site which was being brought back into use and regenerated, rather than a greenfield site. It ticks all the important boxes for us.”

“I was also won over by the styling of the houses and the big windows that mean every room is filled with light.

“Plus, as a former garden and interior designer I also appreciated how well the architect had maximised the space to give each room a workable layout and a lovely flow through the house.”

The Printworks site which has a niche in British publishing history had been derelict for some years before Acorn Property redeveloped the area to bring many new homes.

“There was no turning back once we learned of the Old Printworks’ Penguin past,” said Al after embarking on a new chapter in her life in new two-bedroomed home which means she is thriving as a health coach.

“I’m able to work from home in an office that I’ve set up in our garden which means my commute to work in the morning lasts all of 20 seconds.

“It is a real sanctuary and fits in perfectly with the magical atmosphere of Frome and the surrounding area as a whole.

“There’s lots of like-minded people here who are open about exploring new ways to live life to the full.

“And I’m delighted to be a member of that community where there’s a real feeling of togetherness.

“People have been living off the land for centuries and there’s a real connection to the natural environment to this day.

“That’s what makes Somerset a special county and Frome an extraordinary market town.”

• Phase 2 at The Old Printworks is now over 75% sold. Four-bedroom homes are available from £490,000 and just one three-bedroom home available from £420,000 with more to follow during Phase 3 of the development. Show Homes are open daily from 10am to 5pm. Click here for more info.