Good Morning Surrey,
It’s that first proper Monday back where the kitchen still looks like a recycling depot, the school bags are by the door again, and you realise the week isn’t going to be shaped by big life decisions, it’s going to be shaped by small, official ones. A new daily charge you only notice when you’re halfway to London. A licensing rule that matters if you rent out a shared place. A bill that nudges up when January already feels tight.
So today is the calm sift - what’s changed, what’s coming next, and the straightforward links that save you a second search. Plus a warm space in Guildford, and a few easy plans for the week ahead.
In Today’s Edition,
• London Congestion Charge rises from £15 to £18 a day
• Woking introduces new licensing rules for smaller shared houses
• Simpler Recycling changes coming by March 2026
• Surrey County updates to watch across Surrey
• Warm spaces and a couple of January plans
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 would really welcome your thoughts on this format and how we can improve The Surrey Digest for you.
News
Congestion Charge rises to £18 a day
Photo by: Duffman~commonswiki
If you drive into central London for work, meetings, or the odd midweek appointment, the daily Congestion Charge has gone up from £15 to £18. The new rate applies from 2 January 2026, so it’s worth factoring into January travel budgets - especially if you only make the trip occasionally and don’t notice the change until the payment prompt.
Here’s what’s changing.
Daily charge increased from £15 → £18
In effect from 2 January 2026 (first increase since 2020)
Applies when driving within the Congestion Charge zone during charging hours
Worth checking before your next London run so you’re not caught out on the day
New licensing rules for smaller shared houses in Woking
From 5 January 2026, many smaller shared houses in Woking fall under a new Additional HMO Licensing Scheme, bringing some three- and four-person shared homes into licensing.
Here’s what you should know:
It covers properties where 3+ people or 2+ households share kitchen/bathroom.
Fees are in the high hundreds of pounds, depending on licence type and term.
Operating an unlicensed HMO can mean civil penalties up to £30,000 (or prosecution in serious cases).
The council says it’ll raise management standards and improve safety over time.
If you let or manage shared homes in Woking, this is a change to act on now rather than wait for enforcement.
Simpler Recycling: standardised collections by March 2026
New “Simpler Recycling” rules mean every council in England must collect a common set of recyclables and offer weekly food waste collections by 31 March 2026, with some limited transitional flex. For Surrey households it should mean more consistent rules between neighbouring areas and fewer surprises when you move or travel.
Sponsored by HIRE5 Menswear Guildford
Guildford Get Burns Night Ready
Burns Night falls on Sunday, 25 January, and a standard suit rarely cuts it for a proper supper. HIRE5 Menswear in Guildford makes it easy to get the Highland look right without the heavy investment of buying a full outfit. Here is why hiring is the smart move:
Full ensemble hire: Prince Charlie jackets, sporrans, and ghillie brogues included.
Professional fitting: Avoid the "costume" look with precise tailoring.
Wide range of tartans: Find the right colour palette for the evening.
Local convenience: Easy collection and return in Guildford - no London trek.
Beat the rush: Get measured now to secure your outfit for the 25th.
Surrey Past & Present
Illustration inspired by a 1925 image
Leatherhead Town Bridge – 14 arches over the Mole
Most of us cross it without thinking - a red brick bridge that just gets you from one side of Leatherhead to the other. But this stretch over the Mole has been a crossing point for centuries. If you slow down for a moment, you can still spot the clues: the long line of arches, the refuges, and a plaque that hints at how often it has been rebuilt to keep pace with the town.
A bridge is recorded here as far back as 1286, in the late medieval period.
It was rebuilt and widened in 1782–83 by county surveyor George Gwilt
See the 14 low arches, triangular cutwaters and four refuges set into the bridge.
Local accounts say that in the 1760s the bridge could even be locked, with keys issued only to those who paid.
Properties of the Week
Home A
Price: £315,000
Address: Printing House Square, Martyr Road, Guildford
Details: Two-bedroom flat, two bathrooms, central GU1 location
Parking type: Parking included (see listing for specifics)
Click here: To view the full listing and plan a visit
Home B
Price: £475,000
Address: Speedwell Close, Merrow, Guildford
Details: Three-bedroom terrace house, family layout with garden
Parking type: Garage and parking (per listing)
Click here: To view the full listing and arrange a viewing
Home C
Price: £900,000 (guide)
Address: Sutherland Drive, Burpham, Guildford, GU4
Details: 5 bedroom detached / 3 bath/shower / 2 reception rooms / annex area
Built in: Not stated
Parking Type: Driveway parking and garage
Click here: To view the full listing and arrange a viewing
County Updates
£4.5m plan for Mole Valley parks and Dorking West station
Photo By: Peter Trimming
Mole Valley District Council has approved a £4.5m investment package (largely from development contributions) for parks upgrades and improvements around Dorking West station, with work expected to roll out in phases from 2026.
Dorking Halls to close April–December 2026 for £14m refurb
Dorking Halls is expected to close from mid-April to early December 2026 for the second phase of a refurbishment programme, focused on modernising systems and improving energy efficiency.
Farnham town centre works under the Farnham Infrastructure Programme
Major road and public realm works continue in Farnham town centre as part of Surrey County Council’s longer-term programme, with more phases expected into 2026.
New flexible workspace coming to Bull Hill, Leatherhead
Freedom Works is preparing to open a flexible workspace hub at Fairmount House on Bull Hill in Leatherhead from February 2026, aimed at freelancers and small teams.
2,000 “grey belt” homes proposed near Chessington
Outline plans have been submitted for a 2,000-home mixed-use neighbourhood on land at Hook near Chessington’s edge, close to the A3/A309 corridor — with potential knock-on impacts for nearby Surrey communities.
Community Digest
Activities Hub at The Hive, Guildford
The Hive is running as a warm space this winter, with low-cost hot lunch and a programme of activities aimed at adults. It’s a practical option if you want somewhere warm, busy, and low-pressure - whether you’re popping in for lunch or looking for a regular weekly group.
Two-course hot lunch: £5.10 for members
Weekly activities (social groups, light exercise, crafts)
Extra services listed include basic footcare, hairdressing and support groups
Annual membership currently £15.10
Events This Week
🎤🎸 Music & Gigs
London Symphonic Rock Orchestra | Fri 9 January 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: Symphonic versions of classic rock tracks, evening show.
🎭🏟️Theatre & Performances
One Winter’s Night – 10th Anniversary | Sat 10 January 2026 (Info/Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Charity concert marking ten years of One Winter’s Night.
🛍️ Markets
Ripley Farmers’ Market | Sat 10 January 2026
Location: Ripley Green, Ripley GU23 6AE
Description: Monthly market on the green, typically 9am to 1pm.
Click here: To check timings, parking and stall information
🍽️ Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week | The Ivy Castle View
Location: Near the castle grounds, Guildford
Description: The Ivy Castle View is running a two-course “1917 Menu” at £19.17 per person this winter, from Monday 5 January through to 28 February 2026 — useful for midweek lunches, early suppers or a pre-theatre slot in town. There’s also a separate January half-price drinks offer for those who sign up to receive news
Click here: To see sample menus and booking information
New Year dining quick hits
Discover the World of Wine – Sparkling Wine
Location: Surrey Wine School at The Guildford Institute, Guildford
Description: Thu 29 Jan 2026 class tasting six sparkling wines (ticket around £45).
Click here: To see what’s included and book a place
Ten Tables Valentine’s tasting menu
Location: Ten Tables, Guildford
Description: One-night ten-course tasting menu on Saturday 14 February 2026 (£99 pp).
Click here: To see the details and reserve a table
💼 Local Jobs
Playworker – Playranger Service – Guildford Borough Council
Location: Guildford
Description: Support outdoor play sessions for children across the borough.
Click here: To read the job description and apply online
Staff Nurse (Band 5) – Wisley Ward, Royal Surrey
Location: Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford
Description: Band 5 role caring for inpatients as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Click here: To see the advert and application details
Executive Personal Assistant – Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Guildford
Description: Executive PA supporting senior leaders, diaries and board-level paperwork.
Click here: To read the role description and apply
📒 Directory
Nigel Adams Electrical
Location: Guildford, Cranleigh, Shere and Surrey Hills villages
Description: NICEIC registered electrician for rewires, upgrades and EV charging.
Click here: To see example projects and arrange a visit
Surrey Hills Handyman
Location: Surrey Hills and surrounding villages
Description: General handyman service including small repairs and flat-pack assembly.
Click here: To see services offered and request a quote
Bright & Beautiful Guildford
Location: Guildford, Burpham, Merrow and nearby villages
Description: Employed, insured housekeeping teams for regular or one-off cleans.
Click here: To see packages and arrange a home visit
And Finally,
January has that slightly clunky rhythm: some streets back to clockwork, others still in holiday mode, and everyone quietly trying to avoid the unnecessary detour - the wrong turning, the missed collection, the late-night closure you didn’t see coming. If something in today’s edition saves you ten minutes or a bit of stress this week, that’s the point.
And if you’ve got a warm space, a volunteer slot, a market stall worth the trip, or a small local bright spot we should include next time, hit reply. We read every note.
Thank you for reading. See you on Wednesday.
