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Good Morning Surrey,
The Bank of England has raised Bank Rate from 3.75% to 4%, a small-looking change that can have a rather less small effect on a monthly budget.
The Bank’s idea is to make borrowing more expensive so people spend less, easing pressure on prices and bringing inflation back towards the Bank's 2% target. The catch, of course, is that households already dealing with rising costs may now face higher mortgage payments too. And even when inflation falls, prices don't necessarily come down. They just rise more slowly.
In today’s edition:
Bank Rate rises to 4%, with energy support and wage changes also in the news.
Local planning consultations and Brockham Bonfire road restrictions.
Winter grants, food clubs and practical community support.
Fireworks, performances and family activities across East Surrey.
Weekend markets, restaurant choices and local services.
Let’s take a look.
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News
Reigate & Banstead’s new rules for shared houses
Photo: Fob.schools, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Illustrative photograph.
Reigate & Banstead's new controls on small shared-house conversions take effect borough-wide on 30 July 2027. Article 4 Direction confirmed 29 October 2026. C3-to-C4 conversions lose permitted development rights. Covered conversions will require planning permission.
Brockham Bonfire road closures
Brockham Bonfire returns Saturday 7 November, with temporary road restrictions around the green.
Preparations and restrictions on Friday 6 November.
Further closures on Saturday evening.
Bell Lane and Bell Lane Close are affected.
Check the latest council closure notices before travelling.
Check closures before travelling.
Click here: To check road closures and traffic arrangements
National News
Bank Rate rises to 4%
Bank Rate rose from 3.75% to 4% on 5 November, backed by eight policymakers. Variable-rate borrowing may cost more; existing fixes don't change automatically.
Living Wage rises in April
From 1 April 2027, hourly minimums rise to £13.21 (21+), £11.27 (18–20) and £8.31 (younger workers and eligible apprentices).
Click here: To check the new minimum wage rates by age
County Updates
Epsom & Ewell Plan consultation
Comments on proposed Epsom & Ewell Local Plan modifications close 14 December 2026; only the main modifications are in scope.
Shape East Surrey's priorities
Residents can shape priorities for the proposed East Surrey Council, covering Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge. The consultation closes on 15 November 2026. The exercise concerns future arrangements, not services already delivered
Community Digest
Tandridge winter grants open on Monday — Apply from 9 November, 10am. Eligible households receive £150, or £250 with children aged 18 or under. August–October bank statements required; one claim per household. First come, first served; closes 31 December or sooner if funds run out. Help: 01883 722000.
Elmbridge confirms £100 winter support payment — £100 due in December for eligible Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support households with a child under 16 or pensioner, assessed 1 November. No contact needed if bank details are held.
Food clubs offer lower-cost groceries in Reigate & Banstead — Five food clubs offer groceries for £1 annual membership and typically £2–£3 weekly; eligibility varies.
Warm Welcome spaces available in Mole Valley — Warm spaces until 31 March 2027; check venues and hours.
Tandridge community groups can apply for grants — £24,000 fund offers community organisations grants up to £2,000. Deadline 20 November; not for households.
Community centres welcome volunteers — Banstead seeks café volunteers; Woodhatch seeks Stay and Play help. Check vacancies.
Support for unpaid carers in Leatherhead — Support and meet-ups for unpaid carers; check session dates.
Events
Family & Kids
Autumn Storytelling Adventure | Fri 6 November (Info)
Location: Gatton Park, Reigate
Description: Guess How Much I Love You activity, 10–11.30am. £7.50 reported; check ages and booking.
Festival of Lights Celebration | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill
Description: Diwali celebration, noon–3pm. Free.
Community Wellbeing Fair | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Merstham Community Hub, 2b Portland Drive, Merstham
Description: Wellfest wellbeing fair, 2–5pm. Free.
Autumn Flower Show | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Banstead Community Hall, Park Road, Banstead
Description: Flower displays, 2–5pm. £4 non-members; members free.
Sports & Fitness
Saturday 5K Run | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Priory Park, Reigate
Description: Free 5km parkrun, 9am. Register for a barcode; check cancellations.
Community Play Session | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Carrington School, Redhill
Description: Community games, 11am. Free; confirm the session.
Theatre & Performances
George Michael Tribute Concert | Fri 6 November (Info)
Location: Epsom Playhouse, Epsom
Description: George Michael tribute, 7.30pm. From £33.50 plus £1.50 levy.
Remembrance and Reflections | Sun 8 November (Info)
Location: Epsom Playhouse, Epsom
Description: Remembrance concert, 3pm. From £15; concessions £13, plus levy.
Comedy
Let Yourself Go | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Epsom Playhouse, Epsom
Description: Lucy Porter stand-up, 7.30pm. From £23 plus £1.50 levy.
Music & Gigs
Evening Tribute Performance | Fri 6 November (Info)
Location: Epsom Playhouse, Epsom
Description: George Michael tribute; see Theatre & Performances.
Special Events
Rugby Club Fireworks Night | Fri 6 November (Info)
Location: Geoffrey Knight Fields, Park Lane, Reigate
Description: Gates 5.30pm. SOLD OUT; waiting list and official Tixel resale only.
Bonfire and Fireworks | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Brockham Green, Brockham
Description: Procession 6pm; bonfire 7.45pm. Donations welcomed; road closures apply.
Fireworks Display and Funfair | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Hook Road Arena, Epsom
Description: Gates 5.30pm; quiet display 6.30pm, main fireworks 7.30pm. Prices and availability unconfirmed; check organiser.
Evening Bonfire and Fireworks | Fri 6 November (Info)
Location: Monotype Perrywood, Honeycrock Lane, Salfords
Description: Doors 6.30pm; bonfire 7.30pm, fireworks 8pm. Check entry.
Firework Festival | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Stoke Park, Guildford
Description: Gates 5pm; music 6.30–8.30pm, fireworks 8.30pm. Check tickets.
Markets
Bourne Hall Artisan Market | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell
Description: Artisan stalls, 10am–2pm; café and parking. Free.
Epsom Market | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Market Square, Epsom
Description: Town market by the clock tower; check stalls and hours.
Walton-on-Thames Farmers' & Artisans Market | Sat 7 November (Info)
Location: Walton-on-Thames
Description: Farmers' and artisan stalls; check hours.
Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week | Lebnani (Info)
Location: 11 Church Street, Reigate, RH2 0AA
Description: Lebanese sharing dishes; Fri/Sat lunch and dinner. Check tables.
More places around East Surrey
Monte Forte — 12 West Street, Reigate. Neapolitan pizza; Fri/Sat noon–9.30pm.
Storia — 33 London Road, Redhill. Italian; advertised £15 lunch, terms apply.
Kinjo — 46 Station Road East, Oxted. Japanese grill; Fri/Sat lunch and dinner.
Thai Pad — 5–6 Hoskins Walk, Oxted. Thai dining; check Sunday hours.
Parkside — 71 Bell Street, Reigate. Brunch and Fri/Sat evening dining.
Giggling Squid — 27–29 High Street, Reigate. Thai food; service from noon daily.
Roosters Kitchen — 7 London Road, Dorking. Grilled dishes for lunch and dinner.
The Watermill — Reigate Road, Dorking. Pub dining; check seasonal menu.
Cucina — 28–30 Station Road East, Oxted. Italian; Sat noon–10.30pm, Sun two courses £18.50 (terms apply).
New Gurkha Kitchen — 75 High Street, Reigate. Nepalese; weekday/weekend lunch and dinner.
Bill's — 27 Bell Street, Reigate. Breakfast and brunch; check offers.
Directory
Reigate Electrician (Info)
Location: Reigate, Redhill and surrounding areas
Description: Electrical services; request quotes and check accreditation.
Suddies Domestic Appliances (Info)
Location: Fetcham / Leatherhead
Description: Appliance repairs; check fees and booking.
The Boot Hole (Info)
Location: Dorking town centre
Description: Shoe repairs; check hours.
Studio 36 (Info)
Location: 36 Station Road West, Oxted
Description: Beauty treatments; check prices and booking.
Sew 'n' Sew (Info)
Location: South Street, Epsom
Description: Alterations and sewing; check turnaround.
A. M. Nelless Electrical (Info)
Location: Woking
Description: Electrical work; request quotes and check registration.
Sorella Hair Salon (Info)
Location: 7–9 Broadway, Knaphill, Woking
Description: Hair services; check prices and availability.
And Finally..
A Bank Rate headline can turn an ordinary Friday into a quick check of the household figures. Once that is done, there is still a weekend to plan, with road closures to watch and local places to visit. If we've missed a useful detail, reply with a tip or correction.
Have a good weekend, Surrey.
