The Jaipur Joy Pop up shop in Frome, Somerset.

by Rachel Joseph October 05, 2023

This year we set up shop in The Iron Gates building in the centre of Frome as a 6 months pop up shop.

Located in the heart of the buzzing and vibrant market town of Frome, which is known for its eclectic and popular monthly and weekly markets.

The Iron Gates is a Grade II* listed building, also known as The Old Pet Shop, (Next to M&S, 9 King Street.) and is steeped in the town's wool and cloth manufacturing history.

William Sheppard (1709-1759)

Listed II building in Frome, Somerset, circa 1700, named 'Iron Gates' — Listed II building in Frome, circa 1700, named 'Iron Gates'.

The Sheppard family dominated wool and cloth manufacture in Frome, Somerset. They were the first to introduce machinery into the area and in the first quarter of the 19th century were the largest employers.

John's eldest son, William was a clothier like his father. He was born on Catherine's Hill. William and his wife, Eleanor, had ten children and at the height of their family's prosperity they had made the Iron Gates their family home.

It is not known if the Shepherd family built the Iron gates building but they certainly would have approved of the extensive restoration that has brought it back to its former glory.

The Iron Gates is now a community of some of Frome’s finest makers and artists and this is where we have been lucky enough to pop up with our Jaipur Joy shop.

We wanted to bring some inspiration from the Pink City, Jaipur, and so we were able to decorate our little pop-up shop in a Pink city inspired interior. So if you are passing, do come and visit us to see what treasures we have in store.

We will be trading at the Iron Gates until the first week of January 2024.