TOGETHER WITH
Good Morning Surrey,
This Saturday, Guildford High Street will fill with entrepreneurs aged seven to seventeen, all turning up to sell products they have designed themselves. Which is charming, slightly intimidating, and a useful reminder that some people reach “market launch” before the rest of us have finished deciding on a weekend plan.
So this edition is for the rest of us: what is changing now, what is worth clocking in local government, and what you may want to book before Surrey does that quiet thing of filling up without warning.
Now in today’s edition
England health changes on medicines and maternity care
Surrey’s back-to-work plan, and the confirmed Dorking Halls closure date.
Woking’s housing policy update before May reforms.
Weekend picks including The Beekeeper of Aleppo, and lambing, batik
Volunteer honours, and a few reliable local businesses.
Let’s take a look.
— Prince Khurram
News
Surrey backs county back-to-work plan
Source: Step Surrey
Surrey County Council says its county plan is aimed at supporting 26,900 economically inactive residents who want to work. Policy language can sound distant, but this is the kind of measure that matters very directly to households trying to line up work, health and money without much spare room.
Dorking Halls closes for major works from 19 April
Dorking Halls is due to close from 19 April to early December 2026 for refurbishment and sustainability works. Sensible in the long run, slightly awkward in the short one, which is often how these projects arrive in real life.
Free high-street support opens across Surrey
A free support programme for Surrey high streets is now running across the county, with workshops, online resources and one-to-one support. Surrey says it covers 22 high streets across all 11 boroughs and districts, with nearly 140 registrations and 75 businesses already supported across five areas.
National Headlines
England medicines pathway starts 1 April
A new joint MHRA and NICE pathway is due to launch on 1 April, aimed at getting some medicines to patients in England faster. The practical detail is geography and timing. This is England-only, and the first guidance is expected in June rather than appearing overnight this week.
Maternity taskforce launches with £25m trust funding
Government has launched an England maternity and neonatal taskforce alongside a £25 million funding boost for trusts. This is a national system announcement rather than a Surrey service change this morning, but it is a real policy move, and Louise Stead is among the taskforce members.
Spelthorne tightens planning rules for new HMOs
Spelthorne’s new Article 4 Direction took effect on 13 March and means planning permission is now required to convert a property into an HMO occupied by three or more unrelated people. The useful distinction is that this affects new conversions, not every shared house already operating in that form.
MESSAGE FROM BARUCCI CUSTOM TAILORS LONDON
County Updates
Epsom and Ewell adopts first neighbourhood plan
Source: Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
Epsom and Ewell’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee agreed adoption on 10 March, following a referendum in which 93.4 per cent of eligible residents voted in favour. Planning stories can arrive wrapped in paperwork, but this is still a concrete local milestone.
Woking updates housing enforcement policies ahead of May renters reforms
Woking’s Executive considered revised housing enforcement and civil penalty policies on 12 March and recommended them for formal adoption in April. The key point is timing. This is policy preparation ahead of change, while the first phase of National Renters’ Rights Act reforms is due from 1 May 2026.
Work due to start on new Cobham skatepark
Elmbridge says work on the new skatepark at Leg O’Mutton Field in Cobham is scheduled to start next week. Straightforward, useful and likely to matter quite quickly to local families.
Community Digest
Guildford honours local volunteers
Guildford has announced this year’s volunteer awards, with 27 individuals and organisations recognised across the borough. A useful reminder that quite a lot of local life still runs on people quietly doing the work.
Woking asks for views on town centre public safety
Woking is asking residents, businesses and visitors for views on antisocial behaviour in the town centre as it considers whether a Public Spaces Protection Order could help. Responses are open until midnight on Sunday 26 April.
Surrey’s young people elect seven new Members of Youth Parliament
Surrey’s latest youth elections drew 4,810 votes, up 78 per cent on 2024, with four Members of Youth Parliament elected in West Surrey and three in East Surrey. A notable jump in engagement for a countywide youth vote.
Events
Family & Kids
Photo By: surreyhills.org
Spring Lambing Farm Open Day | 21–22 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Merrist Wood College, Guildford
Price: £6 per person, under 3s go free
Description: The page header shows 22 March, while the body copy lists Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March, both 10am to 4pm. We are treating it as a two-day event and suggesting readers confirm their chosen day on the booking page
Epsom’s Secret Air Raid Shelter WWII Tunnels Tour | 21 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Ashley Road, Epsom
Description: A guided look at one of Epsom’s wartime history sites, for anyone whose Saturday outing is improved by hidden tunnels and a bit of local history.
Theatre & Performances
The Beekeeper of Aleppo | 17–21 March (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: The run includes evening performances plus matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, which is worth knowing before you arrive confidently at the wrong hour.
Music & Gigs
Ringing in the Spring | 21 March, 2pm–4pm (Info/Tickets)
Location: St John the Evangelist, Church Road, Redhill RH1 6QA
Price: £20 standard, £10 student or age 6 to 16, £30 VIP
Description: A Saturday afternoon spring concert in Redhill, with the venue and pricing now pinned down properly rather than left waving vaguely in the direction of town.
Workshops
Spring Soap Making Workshop | 20 March, 11am (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Guildford Institute, Ward Street, Guildford
Description: A hands-on workshop running from 11am to 12.30pm, with materials provided and up to five soaps to make. Neat, practical and satisfyingly specific.
Batik Workshop, Exploring Abstract | 21 March, 10am–3pm (Info/Tickets)
Location: The Horton Arts Centre, Epsom
Price: £70
Description: A five-hour batik workshop led by local artist Lynn Toulson, aimed at beginners and returners alike. A Saturday plan with a bit more shape than simply wandering into town and hoping for the best.
Markets
Youth Business Showcase Market | Sat 21 March
Location: Guildford High Street
Description: One-day market running from 9.30am to 3pm, giving young entrepreneurs a town-centre platform.
Click here: To check the listing and plan your visit.
Farnham Record Fair | Sun 22 March
Location: Cellar Bar, Farnham Maltings
Description: Free entry, no booking required, running from 10am to 3.30pm with over 40,000 records under one roof.
Click here: To check the listing and see the official event page.
Farnham Farmers’ Market | Sun 22 March
Location: Central Car Park, off Victoria Road, Farnham
Description: Sunday market listed from 10am to 1.30pm, good for produce and a proper local wander.
Click here: To check the listing and plan your visit.
Redhill Market | Thu, Fri and Sat
Location: Redhill High Street
Description: Regular market running from 9am to 5pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Free to attend.
Click here: To check the listing and see the official market page.
Eat & Drink
Photo by: Positano Restaurant Guildford
Positano
Location: 124 High Street, Tunsgate, Guildford
Description: Central Guildford Italian restaurant with weekend dining from noon on both Saturday and Sunday. Online booking in advance is recommended.
Click here: To see details and book your table.
Beit Beirut
Location: 14 The Broadway, Woking
Description: Lebanese restaurant and wine bar in central Woking, open all day on Saturday and from noon on Sunday. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
Click here: To see details and book your table.
Daniele Sicilian Restaurant
Location: Lower Hale, Farnham
Description: Family-run Sicilian restaurant on the edge of Farnham with a Sunday and Bank Holiday menu. The restaurant asks diners to call during opening hours to check availability and book.
Click here: To see details and contact the restaurant to book.
The Watermill
Location: Reigate Road, Dorking
Description: Pixham pub and restaurant near Box Hill, with a Saturday service from 9am and a Sunday Feast built around roast-style sharing joints and trimmings.
Click here: To see details and book your table.
Golden Bull Steakhouse
Location: 42 Park Street, Camberley
Description: Independent Camberley steakhouse with wines, cocktails and a dedicated Sunday roast menu served from 12pm to 5pm.
Click here: To see details and book your table.
The Charterhouse Pub
Location: Deanery Road, Godalming
Description: Godalming pub serving classic British dishes, stone-baked pizza and a Sunday menu, with food available from noon to 4pm on Sundays.
Click here: To see details and book your table.
The Dilli
Location: 24 High Street, Haslemere
Description: High Street Indian restaurant with a menu built around traditional and contemporary dishes, plus Sunday service from 2pm to 9pm.
Click here: To see details and book your table.
The Wheatsheaf
Location: 40 Esher Green, Esher
Description: Esher pub and restaurant serving British food across brunch, lunch and dinner, with Sunday roast a clear part of the weekend offer.
Click here: To see details and book your table.
Directory – Trusted by Surrey
Photo by: 101 Collectors Records
101 Collectors Records
Location: 101 West Street, Farnham, GU9 7EN
Description: Independent record shop that has been a Farnham staple for around 30 years, stocking new, reissued and second-hand vinyl, plus CDs and music merch.
Click here: To see details and plan your visit.
Coffee Culture
Location: 2 Angel Gate, Guildford, GU1 4AE
Description: Independent coffee shop in Angel Gate Alley serving Fairtrade-certified signature coffee, fresh pastries and handmade paninis, with weekend opening hours listed on its site.
Click here: To see details and plan your visit.
Fone World Woking
Location: 51B The Peacocks Centre, Woking, GU21 6GD
Description: Phone, tablet, smartwatch and laptop repair shop in central Woking, with the business saying many common repairs can be turned around in about 45 minutes.
Click here: To see details and request a repair.
Dorking Dry Cleaners
Location: 266 High Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1QT
Description: Dry cleaning, laundry, alteration and restoration specialist offering eco-friendly garment care plus collection and delivery in Dorking and surrounding areas.
Click here: To see details and request a quote.
Stitch Studio
Location: 5 The Quadrant, Epsom, KT17 4RH
Description: Epsom alterations and dry-cleaning business, established in 2005, with specialist suede and leather care listed among its services.
Click here: To see details and request a quote.
Cobham Beauty & Laser
Location: 4 Church Street, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 3EG
Description: Cobham salon offering beauty, laser and aesthetic treatments including facials, IPL skin rejuvenation, massage, waxing and nail services, with online booking available.
Click here: To see details and book your appointment.
And finally,
There are clearly children in Guildford this week with a better go-to-market strategy than most adults. The least we can do is get our bookings in on time. As ever, reply with tips, corrections and the local things people should know.
Thank you for reading. See you on Friday.
