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Good Morning Surrey,
Friday in August has a particular rhythm. Half the county looks as though it has mentally left the office, while the other half is still answering emails, checking weekend plans and wondering whether the useful bit of paper is underneath the recycling. The weather may get the blame for most things, but the real Surrey sport is fitting a pleasant weekend around transport, bookings and one last piece of admin.
If route 436 is part of your week, the electric-bus rollout is worth a quick look before you travel. The first zero-emission vehicles are now running between Weybridge and Woking, with route 461 due to follow later in the summer. Check the route details rather than assuming the whole fleet has changed overnight. If you use the 436 regularly, tell us whether you’ve noticed the difference.
And if you’ve found a weekend plan that survives the parking conversation, tell us.
In today’s edition,
Electric buses are now running on route 436 between Weybridge and Woking.
Surrey rural businesses have until Sunday to apply for innovation funding.
Councils move forward with HMO consultation and the Minerals and Waste Plan.
Surrey’s October half-term dates are published.
Outdoor theatre, live music, a hike and swim, and several weekend performances.
Two recent food openings, local vacancies and useful Surrey services.
Let's Take a Look...
-- Prince Khurram.
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News
Falcon electric buses enter service
Electric buses have started operating on Falcon route 436 between Weybridge and Woking. It is the first stage of a 13-bus zero-emission rollout, with route 461 expected to follow later in the summer.
The first vehicles entered service in early August.
Route 436 connects Weybridge and Woking.
The wider programme covers 13 electric buses.
Route 461 is scheduled to join the rollout later in the summer.
Click here: To read the rollout details and affected routes
Surrey farming innovation funding closes on Sunday
Source: businesssurrey.co.uk
Eligible rural businesses in Surrey have until Sunday 16 August to apply to the Farming Innovation Accelerator. The scheme offers direct funding for projects aimed at bringing new ideas into farming and rural business.
Applications close Sunday 16 August.
Funding ranges from £10,000 to £35,000.
Funding is offered at 100 per cent, with no match funding required.
Eligibility applies to qualifying Surrey rural businesses.
A fairly short window if the application has been sitting in the folder marked "come back to this".
Click here: To check eligibility and apply for funding
New store opens at Elmsleigh Shopping Centre
Menkind has opened a new shop at Elmsleigh Shopping Centre in Staines-upon-Thames. The store is now trading from Unit 9 in North Mall, marking another completed change to the centre’s retail line-up.
The store is at Unit 9, North Mall.
It is inside Elmsleigh Shopping Centre.
The opening has now taken place rather than remaining a planned launch.
Click here: To view the new store details and opening hours
National headlines for Surrey
Making Tax Digital reaches its first milestone
HMRC says more than 436,000 sole traders and landlords have filed their first quarterly update. The current mandatory threshold applies where qualifying gross income from self-employment and property is above £50,000, which will include some Surrey landlords and self-employed residents.
NHS begins prostate-cancer research invitations
NHS England has begun contacting around 500,000 men who currently have, or previously had, prostate cancer about a national research programme. Surrey residents receiving a letter or text can use the official information to check what the invitation relates to.
County Updates
Surrey Minerals and Waste Plan moves to latest stage
Surrey County Council began the latest notification stage of its Minerals and Waste Plan process on 6 August. It is a long-term planning milestone rather than something likely to rearrange anyone’s Saturday, but it shapes how future development is handled.
The latest stage began on 6 August.
The notification period runs for four months.
The work forms part of Surrey’s new Minerals and Waste Plan.
Further stages will follow through the plan-making process.
Click here: To check the plan timetable and current stage
Community Digest
Surrey publishes two-week October half term
Surrey’s published 2026/27 term dates for community and voluntary-controlled schools show autumn half term running from 19 to 30 October. Academies and some other schools can set different dates, so it is worth checking your own school calendar before committing the family to anything expensive.
Click here: To check the published school term dates
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Events
Family & Kids
Pinocchio (Info)
Location: Hatchlands Park, East Clandon
Description: Outdoor production on Friday 14 August from 6pm–7.35pm, running for around 95 minutes. Price: £19.51 adults, £10.84 children, with under-5s free. The performance goes ahead outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Sports & Fitness
Source: backontrack
Reigate Heath to Buckland Hike & Swim (Info)
Location: Reigate Heath to Buckland Lake
Description: An approximately 8.5km guided hike on Friday from 4pm–8pm. Price: £12.50 for the hike, with an optional 7pm–7.45pm swim booked separately for £10.50.
Theatre & Performances
Source: G Live
Shrek the Musical (Info)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: Summer youth-project production running Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August in the Main Auditorium. Price: Tickets from £21.50.
Our Man in Havana (Info)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Performances at 7.30pm on Friday, then 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday. Running time is around 2 hours 45 minutes including the interval, with guidance for ages 12+. Price: Advance tickets from £19.
Music & Gigs
Music in the Meadow (Info)
Location: Gostrey Meadow, Farnham
Description: Dark Horse perform on Sunday 16 August from 3pm–5pm as part of Farnham’s seasonal outdoor music programme. Price: Free.
Special Events
Summer BBQ Party (Info)
Location: Chobham Rugby Club, Chobham
Description: Saturday evening BBQ party running from 7pm–11.30pm on 15 August. The current ticket listing is live for advance booking.
The Four Seasons Immersive Experience (Info)
Location: The Horton, Epsom
Description: A 43-minute immersive experience for ages 7+, with sessions on Friday at noon, 2pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Saturday includes a relaxed performance at 1pm, followed by sessions at 2pm and 3pm. Price: £10 adults and £8 children aged 7–15, including fees.
Sip & Paint in the Vineyard (Info)
Location: Albury Vineyard, Albury
Description: Outdoor painting session on Sunday 16 August from noon–2pm. Price: £55. Check the weather before setting off, as the session is outdoors.
Markets
Guildford North Street Market (Info)
Location: North Street, Guildford
Description: Regular Friday and Saturday market running from 8.30am–5pm. Some stalls have temporary locations while works are under way, so check the council information before heading for a particular trader.
Milford Farmers Market (Info)
Location: Secretts Farm Shop, Milford
Description: Farmers market on Sunday 16 August from 10am–1.30pm. Free parking is available at the venue.
Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week | Cazaro Lounge
Source: Cazaro Lounge
Location: Brightwells House, Farnham
Description: This week’s restaurant pick is mainly about timing. Cazaro Lounge opened at 9am on Wednesday 12 August at Brightwells House, so it is still at the stage where locals are working out whether it becomes a regular stop or somewhere to investigate while passing through Farnham. Local reporting says the opening created around 30 jobs.
Because it is only two days old, we’re treating this as a first look rather than pretending anyone has had time to develop a loyal-table opinion. The official venue page carries the current menu, opening hours and practical details, which is where to check before heading over. New openings usually attract a little curiosity, and Surrey has never been especially reluctant to inspect somewhere new over food and a drink. A modest amount of patience may therefore be a useful weekend accessory.
Queen of Tarts (Info)
Location: 32 High Street, Chobham, GU24 8AA
Description: Recently opened café which began trading on 20 July. Current stated hours are Tuesday–Saturday 8.30am–4pm and Sunday 9am–2pm, with Monday closed.
Directory
Lime Electrical Contractors Ltd (Info)
Location: Guildford
Description: Guildford-based electrician providing domestic and commercial electrical services. Suitable for planned electrical work and local service enquiries.
Natty Tailoring & Alterations (Info)
Location: 8 South Street, Farnham, GU9 7RP
Description: Local tailoring and clothing-alteration service for repairs, adjustments and other garment work. Current business information and opening hours are available on the official site.
The Boot Hole (Info)
Location: Dorking
Description: Shoe and leather repair business also offering key cutting and related practical services. Check the current opening hours before visiting.
Looks Beauty (Info)
Location: Epsom KT18, near Epsom Hospital
Description: Appointment-based beauty business offering nails, lashes and brows. The detailed appointment location is supplied through the booking process.
Source: Looks Beauty
Style Avenue (Info)
Location: 137 High Street, Staines-upon-Thames
Description: High Street salon offering hair services alongside nails, lashes and brows. Check the current service list and booking options directly with the salon.
Hazelden Tech Solutions (Info)
Location: 91 Brighton Road, Redhill
Description: Device-repair business covering phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and games consoles, alongside refurbishment services. This is an outer-patch reserve candidate.
And Finally
Surrey weekends have a way of becoming a small logistics exercise disguised as leisure. One booking, one market, one walk and suddenly the family calendar looks like a transport strategy.
Still, there are worse problems to have. Leave a little space between plans, take the route that is actually running, and enjoy the bit where nobody is checking a deadline for an hour or two.
Have a good weekend, Surrey.
Thank for reading. Let’s chat on next week.
