TOGETHER WITH
Good Morning Surrey,
Late February in Surrey has a particular hush to it - not quiet, exactly. More like the sound of people moving carefully, counting. You’re holding three calendars at once, whether you admit it or not.
There’s the obvious one: school dates, bin days, the small domestic metronome that keeps the week upright. Then there’s the roadworks calendar - the A320, the junctions, the lane closures that don’t ask permission before they steal ten minutes from your morning. And now there’s a third, the invisible one. The one written in tariffs and planning notices. Numbers that change far away, and then somehow turn up here, in your inbox, in a hiring decision, in the price of a part, in a pause.
With US tariffs nudging up to 15 per cent, someone in a Surrey industrial estate will be doing fresh sums over breakfast. At the same time, you might be checking your route past Woking Road, or scanning holiday-club dates like they’re train times. This edition keeps watch on the big shifts - without letting the small, daily ones slip through your fingers.
If you run or work for a Surrey exporter, have you felt that tariff news land yet?
Now, In today’s edition,
A year of A320 junction works, and the practical knock-on for everyday journeys
An outline plan for up to 650 homes at Sutton Green Golf Club, and where to find the official notice
March events and markets to pencil in now, before your calendar fills itself
Three homes to benchmark the week, plus a trades Directory to save
Let’s take a look.
— Prince Khurram
P.S. Our Monday Update leans more towards news, the Wednesday Midweek Brief balances news and events, and the Friday Weekender is lighter on news and fuller on events and Eat & Drink. We’d really welcome your thoughts on this format and how we can improve The Surrey Digest for you.
News
Global tariffs rise to 15% – what it could mean for Surrey exporters?
A fresh rise in US global tariffs will be giving Surrey’s export-focused firms something new to plug into their spreadsheets this week. The headline move from 10 to 15% may sound abstract, but for advanced manufacturing, motorsport, tech and pharma businesses who ship into American supply chains it feeds directly into pricing conversations, investment plans and hiring decisions.
What has changed: The US administration has raised its new global tariff from 10 to 15 per cent, increasing costs on a wide range of imported goods.
Who is most exposed locally: Surrey has a high concentration of firms in advanced engineering, motorsport, pharma/biotech and tech services that export components, software or specialist equipment into US-linked supply chains.
Short-term impact: Extra uncertainty for order books and margins while ministers in London work on carve-outs or sector-specific deals. Some firms may delay investment or recruitment until terms are clearer.
Longer-term question: Whether the eventual trade arrangements still make Surrey a competitive base for export-oriented roles, or push more activity towards serving domestic and EU markets instead.
A320 Woking Road junction upgrades – year-long works confirmed
If you use the A320 between Guildford and Woking, this is the kind of change you feel in minutes, not months. Major works are starting at two junctions between Slyfield Industrial Estate and Jacob’s Well, with a year-long programme now confirmed.
Works at the Woodlands Road and Moorfield Road junctions start on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
Phase one removes the Woodlands Road roundabout, with night-time works from 2 March for around six weeks, and overnight lane closures lifted each morning.
Over roughly 12 months, the scheme will replace the roundabout with signals, add extra lanes at Moorfield Road, install a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing, and upgrade pavements and cycle links to Slyfield.
650-home plan at Sutton Green Golf Club
This one sits in the “big enough to shape local life” category. A statutory notice confirms an outline application for up to 650 homes at Sutton Green Golf Club, alongside a care home, local centre uses and a new country park.
Application PLAN/2026/0042 covers up to 650 homes (Use Class C3), a care home, commercial and community uses, and a publicly accessible SANG country park on the existing golf course site.
The statutory notice is dated 19 February 2026.
If you want to comment, the usual practical themes are traffic, local services and green space, via Woking’s planning portal.
National headlines that matter in Surrey
UK economic data turns a little brighter
A cluster of better readings, including a February PMI around 53.9 and a record January budget surplus, points to modest growth, though forecasts still suggest it may feel slow on the ground.
£1.6bn AI strategy for science and public services
Government and UKRI have set out a £1.6bn AI investment envelope to 2030, including AI-for-science “missions” and upgraded compute capacity.
Message from HIRE5 Menswear Guildford
Why a Navy Tuxedo is Often Better Than Black
Whether you’re walking onto a prom dancefloor, accepting an award, attending a high-profile concert, or standing at the altar, the traditional black tuxedo is no longer your only, or even your best, option. The Navy Tuxedo has claimed its spot as the versatile heavyweight of formalwear, offering a level of depth and modern sophistication that black simply can’t match.
Here is the case for a Navy Dinner Suit:
For Proms & Parties: Navy feels youthful and fashion-forward. It breaks the "waiter" stereotype often associated with ill-fitting black suits and allows you to experiment with velvet loafers or unique bow ties.
For Awards & Concerts: It commands attention. It photographs with more detail than black, ensuring that the lines of your lapels and the quality of the fit are visible in every shot.
For Weddings: It is the perfect bridge between "ultra-formal" and "modern romantic," pairing effortlessly with bridesmaid palettes ranging from champagne to forest green.
A tuxedo only looks like a power suit if it fits like one. Here is how should you focus on the architectural "non-negotiables":
Clean Shoulders: No overhang, no bunching.
The Tapered Silhouette: A modern cut that follows your natural shape.
The Perfect Break: Trousers hit the shoe exactly right, avoid "baggy" the look
If you don't want to leave your appearance to the last minute, a quick style chat with the team at HIRE5 Menswear in Guildford can save tons of time guessing.
Properties of the Week
Home A: Under £350k
Price: £225,000
Address: Albert Drive / Woking / GU21
Details: Ground-floor flat / 1 bed
Parking Type: Allocated
Home B: £350k–£650k
Price: £375,000
Address: Belvedere Close / Guildford / GU2
Details: Terraced house / 2 bed
Parking Type: Garage + parking space
Home C: Above £650k
Price: £750,000
Address: Bray Road / Guildford / GU2
Details: Detached house / 2 bed / 2 bath
Parking Type: Not stated
County Updates
High Street Growth & Innovation support rolls out across Surrey
If you run a small business, or you’re the friend people ask for local recommendations, this is one to pass along. Business Surrey is inviting independent traders to a High Street Growth & Innovation programme through spring.
The programme runs February to April 2026, covering all 11 Surrey districts and boroughs.
Workshop locations include Guildford, Camberley, Chertsey, Egham, Staines, Farnham, Godalming, Woking, Epsom and more.
Support includes in-person advice, themed workshops and online resources on footfall, digital presence and resilience.
HALTglass – Growth Fund grant powers unique glass studio
A Business Surrey case study highlights glass artist Jim Cockerill, whose HALTglass studio in Sutton Green has expanded with a Surrey Economic Growth Fund grant.
Funding helped pay for a larger kiln and specialist sandblaster.
The Growth Fund has awarded nearly £2m, linked to around £9m of wider economic impact across supported projects.
Useful context if you’re a maker, studio or small firm thinking about applying.
Community Digest
Outdoor Owls – Guildford forest-school holiday camps
For families who prefer a forest-school feel, Outdoor Owls runs outdoor holiday camps around Guildford for roughly ages 3–7.
Camps run at Easter, half-terms and over summer, with sessions outdoors in woodland settings.
Activities focus on nature play, campfire stories and simple crafts.
Pricing is at the premium end locally, reflecting smaller groups and specialist staff.
Click here: To check dates, locations and booking options
Events in March
👨👩👧👦 Family & kids
Merrist Wood Farm Open Morning | Sunday 1 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Merrist Wood College
Description: Rare-breed animals and a working farm visit in a controlled setting, running 10:00–12:00. Price is £6.50 per ticket including a bag of animal feed, under-3s free.
Counting Sheeps | Wednesday 11 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Farnham Maltings
Description: A gentle, sensory theatre piece for babies and their grown-ups, with sessions at 10:30 and 13:00 (30-minute show plus 30-minute stay-and-play). Price is £10 per adult + baby.
Sports & Fitness
Sound, Voice and Healing Workshop | Sunday 1 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Burrows Lea Country House (Harry Edwards Foundation), Shere
Description: A full-day, small-group workshop in the Surrey Hills focusing on sound healing, breath and voice, running 10:30–18:00. Price is £150, and it’s structured more like a retreat day than a drop-in class.
Theatre & Performances
Ramster Embroidery and Textile Art Exhibition | 6–22 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Ramster Hall and Gardens
Description: A long-running exhibition of embroidery and textile art set in historic gardens. It suits a slower, daylight outing, and opening hours and ticket prices are best checked on the organiser’s pages via the listing.
Comedy
Dead Ringers – 25th Anniversary Tour | Wednesday 25 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: The stage version of the long-running impressions show, with a 19:30 start and runtime around 1h50 including interval. Tickets from around £29.50 plus fees, age guidance 16+.
Music & Gigs
Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells – The Best of I, II & III | Sat 7 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: A live celebration with a full band, starting 19:30, with prices varying by seating tier.
10cc | Sunday 22 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Description: One-night stop in Woking with a 19:30 start and runtime around 2h50 including interval. Tickets from around £47.64 plus transaction fee.
Massaoke – Sing the Musicals | Saturday 28 March 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: Live band, big-screen lyrics and a room built for singing, running 19:30–22:30. Prices are venue-managed, so check tiers at booking.
🍽️ Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week | Denbies brunch and bubbles with outdoor vineyard tour
Location: Denbies Wine Estate, near Dorking
Description: A mid-March treat that does two jobs at once, food you don’t have to cook, and a reason to get outside. This package runs Sunday 15 March 2026 (09:30–12:00) and pairs brunch in the gallery restaurant with an outdoor vineyard tour (weather-dependent) and a sparkling tasting. Price is £47 for adults, £35 for children 5–17, under-4s free. If you’re going, bring layers, March is rarely decisive.
Click here: To check timings, what’s included and book
Beer, curry & quiz evening | Guildford (Info)
Location: Mandira’s Kitchen, Silent Pool
Description: Regular Friday-night events combining a set curry menu, beer and a quiz, typically 18:30–22:00. Recent nights have been around £40 per person including food and beer, but check the March date and current pricing before you commit.
Rosé tasting (Wine Club)
Location: Albury Wine Club
Description: A Wine Club-exclusive rosé tasting in early March showcasing Silent Pool Rosé with guided notes and nibbles. Details sit behind the member login.
Click here: To log in and check the event listing
🛍️ Markets
Youth Business Showcase Market | Saturday 21 March 2026 (Info)
Location: Guildford High Street
Description: A one-off showcase bringing young entrepreneurs to the High Street, with stalls selling handmade gifts and small-batch bakes. Listed hours are roughly 09:30–15:00, and entry is free.
📒 Directory
24/7 Emergency Electrician (Info)
Location: Guildford (GU postcodes)
Description: Emergency call-out service for urgent power faults, the kind you discover five minutes before you need to leave the house. Advertises 24/7 availability.
Airport and local Taxi Transfers (Info) | Heathrow, Gatwick and beyond
Location: Guildford
Description: Private-hire and airport transfers with example fares published for common routes, helpful if you’re trying to plan a pickup without guesswork.
Oven Cleaning | Mobile Service (Info)
Location: Guildford, Woking, Godalming, Farnham and surrounding villages
Description: Mobile deep-clean service for ovens and appliances, particularly handy before a move, after heavy use, or when you’d rather not spend your Sunday with a scraper.
And Finally,
You’ll probably feel this week in small moments, a junction that takes longer than it should, a form you mean to read after dinner, the first time you notice it’s still light at five. If something here saves you ten minutes or one bit of stress, tell me. And if you spot a change we should flag next Monday, send it in.
Thank you for reading. let’s chat on Wednesday.
