Good Morning Surrey,
It's Monday morning in Guildford, and someone is checking the time before heading into town. For most people, that's straightforward. For someone who relies on mobility assistance, getting there is only part of the journey. What happens once they arrive matters just as much.
That's why the reopening of ShopMobility is worth knowing about. And beyond Guildford, there are household costs, school deadlines and council proposals that deserve a few minutes of attention. Here's what matters, what remains undecided and what you can act on.
In today’s edition
Guildford ShopMobility reopens to support town-centre visitors.
Household energy changes, renters' protections and EV charging rules.
West Surrey Council headquarters recommendations await a formal decision.
Secondary school admissions and free community stall registrations.
Family events, comedy, theatre and Dorking Farmers' Market.
Three selected Surrey homes, local jobs and practical local services.
Let's Take a Look... -- Prince Khurram.

News
Guildford ShopMobility reopens with support for town-centre visitors

Illustrative photograph. Photo: Jonathan Billinger, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Guildford ShopMobility has reopened following support from Guildford Borough Council and Experience Guildford. The service helps residents and visitors with mobility needs get around the town centre, making shopping and everyday visits more manageable.
The service had a soft reopening on 21 September.
Its official reopening took place on 2 October.
ShopMobility provides practical assistance for town-centre access.
Visitors should check operating arrangements, equipment availability and any charges before travelling.
It's a useful development for anyone whose journey around Guildford requires a little more planning than simply finding a parking space.

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National headlines
Household energy bills change for the autumn
The typical annualised dual-fuel energy price cap is £1,723 for 1 October to 31 December 2026, approximately 4% higher than the previous period. Temporary electricity VAT relief runs through 31 March 2027. Surrey households should remember that the cap limits rates, not the total bill.
Government consults on stronger protections for private renters
A government consultation opened on 9 October on extending Awaab's Law protections to private tenancies and certain licensed accommodation in England. Surrey tenants, landlords and letting agents can respond until 18 December 2026. The proposed private-rental requirements are not yet in force.
New planning provisions address pavement-crossing EV charging

Illustrative photograph. Photo: Jonathan Billinger, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Changes to planning rules cover specified cross-pavement electric vehicle charging arrangements, potentially helping homeowners without private driveways. Highway-authority permission and other conditions still apply. Ordinary charging cables cannot simply be laid across a public pavement because planning rules have changed.

Properties of the Week

Home A, Walnut Tree Close | Guildford GU1 (View Property)
Location: Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1
Description: A two-bedroom, one-bathroom ground-floor leasehold apartment with open-plan living, a balcony and no onward chain. The asking price requires confirmation, with £275,000 and £300,000 appearing in the checks. Parking, lease length, service charge and ground rent should be confirmed with the agent. Price: £275,000
Home B, New-Build Terraced House | Woking GU22 (View Property)
Location: Woking, GU22, exact plot to be confirmed
Description: A three-bedroom, two-bathroom freehold terraced house offering approximately 906 sq ft of space and a private garden. Parking arrangements and any estate charges need checking. The listing may include CGI or photographs of comparable plots rather than the specific home. Price: £515,000.
Home C, Fox Dene | Godalming GU7 (View Property)
Location: Fox Dene, Godalming, GU7
Description: A four-bedroom, two-bathroom detached freehold house offering approximately 1,286 sq ft, with two reception rooms, a private rear garden, driveway parking and a garage. A family-home option for those who need more room, inside and out. Price: £850,000.

County Updates
Woking and Guildford recommended as future West Surrey Council headquarters
Woking and Guildford have been recommended as locations for the new West Surrey Council's headquarters from 1 April 2027. The recommendation was scheduled for a Shadow Executive decision on 12 October, and the earlier announcement does not establish final approval.
Woking Borough Council offices and Victoria Gate are recommended as operational headquarters.
Millmead in Guildford is recommended as the civic headquarters.
The proposed arrangements would begin on 1 April 2027.
Existing local service-access arrangements are expected to continue under the proposal.
The distinction between a recommendation and a formal decision matters, particularly for residents wondering whether their usual council services will move.

Community Digest
Secondary school applications close on 31 October
Parents and carers applying for a Surrey secondary school place for September 2027 have until Saturday 31 October 2026 to submit an on-time application.
It's worth checking your preferred schools, reviewing the admissions arrangements and making sure the application has actually been submitted. Having everything saved somewhere on the family laptop is useful, but it is not quite the same thing as completing the process.
Free community stalls available for Woking organisations
Local charities and community groups can apply for free stalls at Working Together for Woking, taking place at Woking Leisure Centre on Thursday 12 November, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Stall registrations close on Wednesday 28 October. For organisations hoping to meet residents, explain their work or make connections with other local groups, it's a useful opportunity to put a face to the name.

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Events
Family & Kids
Draw with Rob Biddulph, The Last Wolf | 17 October (Tickets)
Location: Guildford Baptist Church, Millmead, Guildford
Description: Children's author and illustrator Rob Biddulph leads a drawing session on Saturday from 3pm to 4pm, suitable for ages six and over. A chance for young artists to put pencil to paper and perhaps bring home something for the fridge door. Price: £8 general admission, subject to checkout confirmation.
Theatre & Performances
An Evening with Sir Derek Jacobi and Richard Clifford | 17 October (Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: Sir Derek Jacobi and Richard Clifford appear together for a one-night theatre event on Saturday. An option for anyone interested in the people and experiences behind stage performances. Check the event page for ticket prices, timings and availability.
Comedy
Hot Mess | 15 October (Tickets)
Location: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Description: The Scummy Mummies bring their Hot Mess comedy show to Guildford on Thursday. An evening looking at the less orderly side of family life, which should provide some familiar material. Check the theatre programme for performance times and ticket availability.
Music & Gigs
125 Years of Jazz Piano | 12 October (Tickets)
Location: G Live, Guildford
Description: A Monday performance exploring 125 years of jazz piano. One for music lovers looking for an early-week evening out. Tickets were advertised from £29.50. Check the performance time and remaining availability before travelling, as this event takes place today.
Special Events
Fire & Food Fair | 17–18 October (Tickets)
Location: Hogs Back Brewery, Tongham
Description: The Surrey Hills Fire & Food Fair runs on Saturday from noon to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. An autumn weekend outing centred on fire and food, with adult tickets advertised at £12.50 in advance or £15 on the door. Check the organiser's terms for concessions and children's admission.

Markets
Dorking Farmers' Market | 17 October
Location: St Martin's Walk, Church Street, Dorking, RH4 1UX
Description: The farmers' market returns for its regular third-Saturday date, running from 9am to 1pm. A useful morning stop for anyone planning to shop locally. Individual trader attendance can vary, so don't make a special journey expecting one particular stall.

Eat & Drink
Restaurant of the Week
The Third Monkey | Farnham (Restaurant & Menu)
Location: 46 South Street, Farnham, GU9 7RP
Description: Choosing somewhere for dinner can occasionally involve more negotiations than buying a house. Someone wants cocktails, someone wants a proper meal, and the person who said they were happy with anything has quietly ruled out four suggestions. The Third Monkey offers dining alongside a cocktail bar, making it worth considering for an evening when you'd rather stay in one place than organise a small expedition between venues.

Directory
Guildford Lock & Safe | Locksmiths (Contact)
Location: 26 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 1DY
Description: Locksmith services, key cutting, lock installations and safes, with a workshop in central Guildford. Useful for replacement keys, new locks or home-security enquiries. Check emergency attendance and call-out charges directly.
Greenmark Gardens | Garden Maintenance (Contact)
Location: Covers Guildford and Godalming
Description: Garden maintenance including hedge trimming, lawns and seasonal tidy-ups, with weekly and fortnightly visits available. Written quotations and green-waste allowances are outlined by the business. Useful when the garden has begun setting its own agenda.
Surrey Appliances | Appliance Repairs (Contact)
Location: Based in Sheerwater, Woking, covering Guildford and surrounding areas
Description: Repairs for washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, cookers, tumble dryers and fridge-freezers. Worth enquiring when an appliance stops cooperating. Confirm appointment availability, diagnostic charges and warranty terms directly.
Great Stitch Ltd | Tailoring & Alterations (Contact)
Location: 3 High Street, Godalming, GU7 1AZ
Description: Tailoring and clothing alterations for menswear, womenswear and bridal clothing, alongside curtain alterations. Useful when something needs adjusting rather than replacing. Prices and appointment availability depend on the work involved.
Pearson's Removals | Home & Office Moves (Contact)
Location: Farnham
Description: Domestic and commercial removal services for households and businesses planning a move. Worth contacting for a quotation before the packing boxes take over the living room. Confirm insurance, storage arrangements and additional charges directly.
And Finally
There is a particular sort of Surrey optimism involved in leaving the house without a coat in October. The sky looks encouraging, the forecast seems reasonable, and five minutes later you're standing outside a shop reconsidering your judgement.
Perhaps that's the secret to an agreeable autumn. Keep the waterproof nearby, the kettle within reach, and don't let the household paperwork win before Tuesday.
Have a good Monday, Surrey.




