In partnership with
Good Morning Surrey,
Surrey's high streets are full of familiar cafés, independent shops and favourite restaurants. Behind the shopfronts, however, businesses face mounting costs. The Autumn Budget promises expanded business rates relief from April 2027. Will it help our high streets?
Relief could give local businesses breathing room, but rent, wages and energy bills remain. Will lower rates really help Surrey's independents survive? Hit reply with your view.
In today's edition…
Business rates relief expands, with new thresholds from April 2027.
First-time buyers offered a new government equity loan scheme.
Three Surrey properties, from £300,000 to £850,000.
Residents invited to help shape Surrey's two new councils.
Primary school applications open today for September 2027.
Fireworks, local markets, places to eat and useful local services.
Let's Take a Look...
-- Prince Khurram.
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News
Business rates relief expands from April 2027
The Autumn Budget proposes expanded business rates relief for eligible shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants in England from April 2027.
Full-relief threshold: Rises from £12,000 to £18,000 in rateable value.
Taper threshold: Increases from £15,000 to £21,000.
National impact: Approx. 70,000 properties expected to become eligible
When it starts: April 2027, so businesses won't see the changes immediately.
Surrey businesses may save money, depending on each property's rateable value and eligibility. Will savings support high streets or offset other rising costs?
National headlines
First-time buyers offered new equity loan scheme
The Government's £4.7bn Your First Home scheme aims to help 70,000 households with a 20% equity loan and minimum 2.5% deposit. Surrey price caps remain unannounced.
Pre-registration is planned by December 2026, with applications from February 2027.
Properties of the Week
Source: rightmove.co.uk
Home A: Under £350k
Franklin Court | Wormley (View Property)
Location: Franklin Court, Wormley
Description: 2 bedrooms / first-floor leasehold flat / 2 bathrooms / 822 sq ft Price: Guide price £300,000.
Home B: £350k–£650k
Glebe Road | Cranleigh (View Property)
Location: Glebe Road, Cranleigh
Description: 4 bedrooms / freehold semi-detached / 2 bathrooms / 1,432 sq ft / Price: £525,000.
Home C: Above £650k
Burnt Hill Road | Farnham (View Property)
Location: Burnt Hill Road, Farnham
Description: 4 bedrooms / freehold detached / 2 bathrooms / floor area disputed Price: Guide price £850,000.
County Updates
Surrey's two new councils want residents' views
Residents can share priorities for the new East and West Surrey councils, due to take over services on 1 April 2027. Consultation closes 15 November.
Click here: To share your views on future council services
Park Barn and Westborough residents asked about improvements
Guildford's Better Homes survey, launched 29 October, seeks Park Barn and Westborough residents' views on housing, green spaces and facilities. No redevelopment decision has been made.
Click here: To contribute your neighbourhood priorities
Guildford moves towards a new Local Plan
Guildford published a Local Plan readiness assessment on 30 October. The scoping consultation has closed; formal planning stages remain ahead.
Click here: To read the latest planning milestone
Runnymede allocates another £200,000 for car parks
Runnymede approved another £200,000 for repairs and accessibility improvements at 21 car parks. This follows £200,000 already spent. No tariff changes were announced.
Click here: To read the improvement programme
Community Digest
Primary school applications open today
Surrey Reception and junior school applications for September 2027 open 2 November. Apply by 15 January 2027; offers are due 16 April.
Click here: To check details and access guidance
Surrey's Warm Welcome returns for winter
Surrey's Warm Welcome venues operate from November to March. Libraries and community spaces offer warmth and, at some sites, refreshments or advice. Check venue hours.
Click here: To check details and access guidance
Bookham Warm Welcome and community fridge
Bookham Baptist Church, Lower Road KT23 4DH, offers a warm space Tue/Fri 10–11.30am and a food fridge Tue/Fri 11am–noon, Sat 10.30–11.30am. Food varies.
Click here: To check details and access guidance
Haslemere Community Fridge
Surplus food is available without referrals at Pathways Community Pavilion via Mackie's Way. Hours vary; no on-site parking.
Click here: To check details and access guidance
Food support in Merstham and Horley
Food fridges are listed at Merstham Community Hub, 2b Portland Drive RH1 3JB, and Horley Community Centre, Albert Road RH6 7JA. Check hours and eligibility.
Click here: To check details and access guidance
Events
Family & Kids
Town Fireworks | 6 November (Info)
Location: Godalming
Description: Fireworks, rides, food and bars, 6.30–9pm; display 8pm. £11 adults, £6 under-16s, £25 family.
School Fireworks Evening | 6 November (Info)
Location: West Ashtead
Description: School fundraiser. Gates 5.30pm, fireworks 7pm. Check ticket prices.
School Community Fireworks | 8 November (Info)
Location: Meath School, Brox Road, Ottershaw
Description: School community fireworks, 5–7pm. Ticketed.
Outdoors
Village Bonfire and Torchlight Procession | 7 November (Info)
Location: Chiddingfold Village
Description: Stalls 5pm, procession 7pm, fireworks 8pm. Free; donations welcome. No village parking; shuttle from Witley.
Lions Bonfire and Fireworks | 7 November (Info)
Location: Cranleigh
Description: Funfair, torchlight procession, bonfire and musical fireworks for local causes. Check times.
Village Bonfire Celebration | 7 November (Info)
Location: Brockham Village
Description: Charity fair, procession, bonfire and fireworks. Parking £10; expect traffic.
Theatre & Performances
The Picture of Dorian Gray | 3–7 November (Info)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Oscar Wilde adaptation, Tue–Sat; Sat matinee 2.30pm. Tickets from £29; concessions £13.
Special Events
Winter Wellbeing Exhibition | 7 November (Info)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: Wellbeing exhibition, 10am–6pm. Class prices vary.
Markets
Guildford Farmers' Market | 3 November (Info)
Location: High Street, Guildford
Description: 50-plus producers, 10am–3pm. Road closed 8am–5pm.
Godalming Friday Market | 6 November (Info)
Location: Crown Court, Godalming
Description: Plants, clothes and household goods, usually 8am–3pm.
Maltings Monthly Market | 7 November (Info)
Location: Farnham Maltings
Description: Crafts, food and vintage stalls, 9am–4pm. Entry £1; members and under-15s free.
Walton Farmers' and Artisans Market | 7 November (Info)
Location: Walton-on-Thames
Description: Local produce and handmade goods. Confirm closing time.
Weybridge Farmers' and Artisans Market | 8 November (Info)
Location: Weybridge
Description: Food and craft stalls. Confirm location and hours.
Winter Market | 8 November (Info)
Location: Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
Description: Gifts, food and homeware, 11am–4pm.
Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week | Kinghams Restaurant
(Info/Menu)
Location: Shere, Surrey
Kinghams serves seasonal modern British food in a 17th-century Shere building, ideal for an unhurried lunch or special dinner.
Lunch is advertised Tue–Sun and dinner Tue–Sat. Check menus, prices, dietary options and book ahead.
Quick Hits
Mandira's Kitchen (Info)
Location: Albury
Description: Indian café for chai, pakoras and afternoon teas. Sun–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat to 6pm.
Natter Café (Info)
Location: Farncombe
Description: Breakfast, lunch, coffee and garden room. Weekdays 7am–4pm.
Pinnock's Coffee House (Info)
Location: Ripley
Description: Coffee, tea, cakes, lunches and afternoon tea. Weekdays 9am–4pm; longer weekends.
Cornish Bakery Opening | 25 November (Info)
Location: 84–86 High Street, Guildford
Description: Opens 25 November in the former Russell & Bromley unit. Planned hours 7am–5pm.
Directory
Sassy Does It (Info)
Location: Brook, covering Godalming and neighbouring areas
Description: Electrical work, lighting, consumer units, inspections and rewiring. Confirm registration and insurance.
Haslemere Plumbing (Info)
Location: Haslemere
Description: Plumbing, leaks, bathrooms, radiators, drains and emergency work.
Great Stitch (Info)
Location: Godalming
Description: Alterations, tailoring, bridalwear and curtains. Mon–Sat 9am–6pm.
Dorking Alterations (Info)
Location: Dorking
Description: Alterations, leather repairs, cleaning and wedding dress care. Mon–Sat 9am–5pm.
HolmPC (Info)
Location: Dorking
Description: PC repairs, upgrades, troubleshooting and IT training, including remote help.
And Finally
It's fireworks week in Surrey. Some want the front-row view; others prefer the kitchen window and a cup of tea.
Spare a thought for pets, early sleepers and whoever has to find the car afterwards.
Have a good Monday, Surrey.
