Frodsham is a market town and civil parish in the borough of Vale Royal, Cheshire, England. Its population is 8,940. It is approximately 3 miles (5 km) south of Runcorn. The River Weaver runs to its north east and on the west it overlooks the estuary of the River Mersey. The A56 road and the Chester-Manchester railway line pass through the town, and the M56 motorway passes to the north west. In the medieval times it was an important borough and port belonging to the earls of Chester. Its parish church, St. Laurence's, still exhibits evidence of a building present in the 12th century in its nave, and is referenced in the Domesday Book. A market is held each Thursday, and Frodsham's viability as a trading centre is emphasised by the presence of the "big four" clearing banks and several building societies. Development in the town's shops and premises with alcohol licences is evident through the recent (post-2002) opening or modernisation of contemporary-style bar/restaurants, take-away food shops and public houses, and in the continued presence of small, specialised, businesses operating from town centre shops. New industrial premises to the north east of the town very close to the M56 motorway are being built to augment those already present.