Good Morning Surrey,
There’s a very Surrey moment on Monday mornings where you’re halfway through making tea and you can already hear the sat-nav recalculating. Another set of boards has appeared on a familiar route, and the week’s admin is lining up behind you.
Today’s update keeps it calm and practical: what’s changing on the roads, what’s being floated on the Green Belt, what the budget headlines mean locally, and where to find support if bills are biting, plus a few decent things to do once you’re off the ring road.
In today’s edition
How Help with the cost of living in 2026 will impact wages, pensions and bills
Storm Chandra and winter flooding and what it means for Surrey
Temporary lights on the A3100, plus February night closures on the A31
Early consultation on up to 540 homes between Ripley and Send
Weyside depot progress, and the county’s proposed council tax rise
Everyday Essentials vouchers, The Hive in Park Barn, and the ZERO community hub
February shows, markets, two planning jobs, and three local services to bookmark
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
Help with the cost of living in 2026 – wages, pensions and bills
From April 2026, a set of UK-wide changes is due to lift some incomes and take a little pressure off a few everyday costs. In Surrey, where housing and commuting costs do a lot of the heavy lifting each month, the immediate impact will vary, but it’s worth knowing what’s changing if you’re on minimum wage, a pension, or juggling family costs.
Here is what you need to know:
National Living Wage (21+) rises 4.1% to £12.71 an hour, with higher minimum rates for younger workers and apprentices too
The full New State Pension is due to rise 4.8% to about £241.30 a week
Key benefits are uprated, alongside the planned scrapping of the two-child limit in Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit
The government says around £150 a year will be removed from typical household energy bills by shifting some policy costs into general taxation
Regulated rail fares and NHS prescription charges in England are frozen for 2026 (helpful for regular commuters and anyone with repeat prescriptions)
Storm Chandra and winter flooding: What it means for Surrey
Storm Chandra at the end of January brought exceptional rainfall across parts of the UK. The story in Surrey is less about one named storm and more about the “after”: saturated ground, rivers that rise faster, and routes that stay awkward for longer, especially around low-lying stretches and familiar pinch points. It’s the kind of disruption that doesn’t always make national headlines, but it changes how you plan a school run, a commute, or a late shift.
Exceptional rainfall in late January led to travel disruption and highly saturated ground
Surrey has seen repeated flood alerts on the Wey, Mole and Chertsey Bourne, alongside localised flooding and road closures
The practical takeaway: keep an eye on warnings, add buffer time for low-lying routes, and expect flood resilience to stay on the local agenda
If you’re in a flood-prone area, it’s worth checking alerts regularly, even when it looks “fine” outside
Click here: To read the Met Office breakdown of Storm Chandra and rainfall records | To check current flood warnings for the Wey, Mole and other local rivers
Guildford–Godalming Greenway works bring temporary lights on the A3100
Source: BBC
Multi-month works to improve walking and cycling between Guildford and Godalming are now under way, with temporary traffic lights on the A3100 as the scheme moves into its main construction phase.
Temporary lights are in place on the A3100 Guildford Road at Godalming from 5 January until late April 2026
Works are part of the Guildford to Godalming Greenway, improving active travel links for walking, wheeling and cycling
Expect delays at peak times for drivers heading between town, the A3 and surrounding villages
Once complete, the route should offer safer crossings and a more continuous off-road link for non-drivers
Sponsored by HIRE5 Menswear Guildford
5 things to know when hiring your wedding suit
Hiring your wedding suit is not the shortcut some people think it is. Done properly, it is the most sensible way to look like you planned every detail, without spending like you did. The difference is never the label, it is the fit, the finish, and whether the whole look makes sense for your day.
Pick the suit for the wedding you are actually having
Venue and timing matter. A formal ceremony earlier in the day reads differently from an evening reception, and your suit should reflect that, not whatever is trending on your feed.Fit is what makes hire look expensive: Focus on the non negotiables, clean shoulders, neat sleeves, trousers that sit correctly and break properly. If those are right, everything else looks intentional.
Choose colour with the photos in mind: Navy and mid grey work because they flatter most people and photograph well in all seasons. If you go lighter or more fashion forward, make sure it still sits comfortably alongside the rest of the wedding party.
Style with restraint: A good shirt, a well chosen tie or bow tie, and proper shoes will do most of the work. Keep accessories supportive, not noisy, and let the tailoring lead.
Book early, and plan for a second appointment: The best sizes and styles go first, and a final check closer to the date is what prevents the avoidable issues, tight collars, short sleeves, last minute panic.
If you want it handled properly, the team at HIRE5 Menswear in Guildford will talk you through the options and make sure the final fit looks as it should.
Properties of the Week
Home A
Price: £240,000 guide price
Address: Ladymead, GU1 (near Guildford town / Stoke Park)
Details: 1-bed flat
Parking Not clearly specified
Home B
Price: £495,000 guide
Address: Martindale Close, Guildford
Details: Terraced 3 Bedrooms
Parking Type: Not stated
Click here: To view the full listing and see the floorplan
Home C
Price: £550,000
Address: Tychbourne Drive, Merrow Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU4
Details: Link Detached house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, EV charging
Parking Type: Driveway parking
County Updates
Surrey County budget 2026/27: 4.99% council tax rise proposed
Surrey County Council has published its proposed 2026/27 budget, describing it as balanced but under pressure. The plans include higher spending on social care, SEND support and highways, funded in part by a council tax rise.
Budget papers highlight significant cost pressures across adults’ and children’s services and road maintenance
A 4.99 per cent council tax increase is proposed, including the adult social care precept
The budget remains subject to approval by Full Council in early February
The council says it is trying to protect front line services while dealing with inflation and rising demand
Ash Neighbourhood Plan consultation open until 9 March
Residents in Ash are being asked to help shape a new Neighbourhood Plan for their area. The formal consultation is now live and runs through to early March.
The consultation period runs from 20 January to 9 March 2026
The plan will guide development, infrastructure and community priorities in Ash, Ash Vale and Ash Green
There are supporting documents, maps and evidence base papers on the consultation portal
Responses will help inform the next draft before it goes forward for examination and referendum
Community Digest
Household Support Fund: Everyday Essentials e-vouchers
Guildford’s Everyday Essentials e-voucher scheme continues into 2026 as part of the Surrey-wide Household Support Fund. It offers supermarket-style vouchers to households who are struggling with essential costs.
Here’s how it works.
The current funding round runs until 31 March 2026
Applications open in monthly windows and can close early if that month’s pot is used up
Support is usually through supermarket e-vouchers towards food and basics
Recent rounds have offered up to around £300 for families and around £200 for single adults, though exact amounts vary
ZERO Carbon Guildford, Community fridge, repair and skills hub
ZERO Carbon Guildford runs a volunteering-led climate and community hub just off Walnut Tree Close. It combines a community fridge with repair sessions, workshops and a “library of things” under one roof.
Here’s how it runs.
The hub is based at Unit 1, Riverside Business Centre on Walnut Tree Close
Typical opening hours are Tuesday and Thursday 10.00 to 16.00
The Community Fridge operates roughly 10.30 to 13.30 on those days, redistributing surplus food
There are regular repair cafés, skills workshops, a baby clothes library and more on the monthly programme
North Guildford Food Bank – Park Barn hub and café
North Guildford Food Bank continues to support residents needing emergency food, including through its hub at St Clare’s Church in Park Barn. The hub also links into a simple café space and other local support.
The food bank website explains how to get referred or donate food and funds
The Park Barn hub offers regular daytime and some early evening sessions for collections
A simple community café runs alongside some sessions, offering a warm space and conversation
Exact session times can change, so it is best to double check online before setting out
Events This Week
An Evening With John Terry | Mon 2 Feb (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, London Road, Guildford
Description: An on stage conversation with former England defender John Terry, looking back over his career with stories and audience chat. Probably one for football fans rather than a casual night out. Price: From around £44 up to about £132 plus fees.
Blood Brothers | Tue 3 – Sat 7 Feb (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Town Centre
Description: Willy Russell’s long running musical drama returns for a week-long stay, with evening performances and some matinees. Early shows are flagged as “last few” seats, so this is one to decide on quickly if it has been on your list for years. Price: Check the theatre site for current bands and availability.
David Copperfield | Fri 6 – Sat 28 Feb (Info/Tickets)
Location: Holy Trinity Church, High Street, with Guildford Shakespeare Company
Description: A new staging of Dickens’ David Copperfield in church surroundings, with an atmospheric set and a cast taking on multiple roles. The show runs at around two hours fifteen including interval, with age guidance eight plus and some Pay What You Can performances. Price: Standard tickets and concessions available, see site for details.
The Classic Rock Show | Sat 7 Feb (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, London Road, Guildford
Description: A touring tribute bringing a full band and big sound to the rock back catalogue, from guitar solos to sing-along choruses. The listing suggests seats are selling fast, so this is more “plan ahead” than last-minute. Price: Around £46 to £51 plus fees.
The Music of Pink Floyd by Candlelight | Fri 27 Feb (Info/Tickets)
Location: Guildford Cathedral
Description: A string-based tribute to Pink Floyd under the vaulted ceiling, lit by hundreds of candles for added atmosphere. It is part of a weekend of candlelit concerts at the cathedral, with ABBA themes the following night. Price: Tickets from around £35, with seating by zone.
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour – Red Programme | Thu 5 Feb (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, London Road, Guildford
Description: A selection of adventure and mountain sport films from the Banff World Tour, aimed at climbers, skiers and armchair explorers alike. The Guildford date carries a 12A guideline, so fine for older children who like a bit of vertigo. Price: Around £17.50 to £19.50 plus fees.
🛍️ Markets
Craft & Flea – Guildford Cathedral | Sat 7 Feb
Location: Guildford Cathedral
Description: Indoor craft and flea stalls fill the nave and aisles from 11.00 to 16.00, with independent makers, vintage traders and plenty of browsing. A decent option if the weather is doing its usual February thing and you prefer your weekend mooching under a roof. Price: Entry around £3 for adults.
🍽️ Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week | The Cricketers
Location: The Cricketers, Aldershot Road
Description: The Cricketers on Aldershot Road is now an independently owned free house after a recent takeover and refurbishment, with longer hours and a clearer focus on food than before. It sits in the “local you can take the family to” bracket rather than big-screen sports pub, and aims to be somewhere you book for a meal as often as you drop in for a pint. Prices are still Surrey’s prices, so it’s worth scanning the menu before you commit.
Cannon Coffee Roastery Café – Riverside Business Park
Location: Unit 6, Riverside Business Park, Clay Lane, Guildford GU4 7PL
Description: Cannon Coffee Roasters now welcomes walk-ins at its roastery café just outside town, so you can drink the beans where they are roasted. Expect a working space first and a café second, especially if you like to talk grind size more than latte art.
Waterstones Guildford and in-store café – High Street
Location: 71–73 High Street, Guildford
Description: Waterstones has settled into its larger three-floor home on the High Street with an in-store café and expanded sections. It’s a handy combination of bookshop, meeting spot and rainy-day bolt hole, seven days a week, whether you’re browsing or just parking yourself with a coffee and a paperback.
📒 Directory
Rita Botanicals – plant studio and terrarium workshops
Location: White Lion Walk, Guildford
Description: Rita Botanicals is an independent plant studio specialising in houseplants and terrariums, now in a permanent unit after a successful pop-up run. Alongside plants and pots there are small group workshops if you fancy building your own miniature jungle in a jar.
Lucalé – boutique hair salon in Angel Gate
Location: 10 Angel Gate, Guildford GU1 4AE
Description: Lucalé is a women’s hair salon tucked just off the High Street, offering cuts, colour and styling with online booking and some later evening appointments. Handy if you prefer a quieter studio feel to a big high street chain.
And Finally,
If you’re crossing the Hog’s Back this week, there’s a late-afternoon minute where the light hits the ridge and Guildford sits below in soft grey and orange. It doesn’t fix the queues, but it does reset your shoulders a bit.
If you spot a closure, diversion or local support scheme we should have on the radar, just hit reply and tell me.
Thank you for reading. let’s chat on Wednesday.
