A former Pizza Hut restaurant at Enterprise House in the Wessex Fields business park, Frome, is set to be transformed into a tanning salon following recent planning approval. The Pizza Hut outlet, located in Unit 1, ceased operations in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Subsequently, the premises was occupied by Dough & Co pizza company until their departure in 2022.
Consol Ltd. submitted plans in late November 2025 to convert the space into a tanning salon, and Somerset Council has now given the green light for the change of use. The new salon is expected to welcome customers by late spring.
Enterprise House is home to a variety of tenants including KFC, a police enquiry desk, and Dorothy House Hospice Care furniture store. The approved plans specify that the tanning salon will occupy the ground floor of the unit, while leaving the first floor available for storage or accommodation as per the original permission.
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The salon will operate with both appointment slots and walk-in availability, mirroring Consol’s existing branches in Bridgwater, Taunton, and Yeovil. A spokesperson for Boon Brown Architects, representing Consol Ltd., highlighted the site’s ample shared parking and noted that the solarium would create employment opportunities for 10 to 12 people across various roles.
Peak operating times are anticipated to be weekdays from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m., and 5:00 to 8:30 p.m., with many customers visiting on their commute or during lunch breaks. The operator expects sustainable travel methods to be used by some customers and foresees minimal impact on traffic volumes due to the salon’s complementary presence alongside other retail and business outlets in the park.
The transformation of the unit fits within ongoing growth plans for the Wessex Fields area, which is expanding with nearby residential developments like Keyford Meadows, where 198 homes are currently under construction. Additionally, a new Home Bargains store approved in November 2025 promises around 100 local jobs, with further retail expansion planned.
Should the 1,700-home Selwood Garden Community gain approval, more commercial development is expected at Frome’s southern boundary, pending a decision from Housing Secretary Steve Reed MP following a public inquiry.
Somerset Council’s planning officers approved the tanning salon proposal through delegated powers without needing a full committee hearing. Planning officer Carlton Langford stated that the design and scale of the project are appropriate for the area and that it upholds local character without causing significant impacts such as noise, traffic congestion, or loss of privacy.
With all approvals in place, the tanning salon is on track to open its doors to the public by late spring, marking a new chapter for the former Pizza Hut site and contributing to economic growth in the Frome business community.