Local news and events
 
 
A group of people standing together in a formal room with stained‑glass windows and decorative architectural details, posing for a graduation-style photo. Beneath the image is the text ‘Reigate & Banstead Entrepreneur Academy 2026’ with a ribbon graphic that reads ‘Congratulations.’ Logos for R&B Business and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council appear at the bottom.
Facing the Dragons
Entrepreneur Academy winner announced
 

The Economic Prosperity Team recently wrapped up its 2026 Entrepreneur Academy with a thrilling Dragons’ Den finale! Delivered in partnership with East Surrey College, this 6-month business start-up programme supported 14 budding business owners,  helping them to refine their ideas and learn the ropes of starting a successful venture.

 

Huge congratulations go to our overall Academy winner, Kind Teas as well as our two highly commended runners‑up - Under the Arch and Nicki Day Creative.

 

Thank you to Entrepreneur Academy 'student' Emma Sears (Reel Feel Productions) for making this fantastic video about the programme!
 
 
 
Logo for the Banstead Business Group featuring the words ‘Banstead Business Group’ in green and gold text, centered on a white background with a dark green border.
Introducing Banstead Business Group
 

A warm welcome to the new Banstead Business Group, set up to serve Banstead and the surrounding villages.  The Group will provide an informal monthly networking meeting over a coffee to build relationships and support the local community.
 
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Events round up
 

APRIL

14th - Redhill Micropreneurs (Bel4, Redhill, 09:00-17:00) Free Co-Working Day

14th - Health & Wellbeing networking (The Market Stores, Reigate, 19:00-21:00)

15th - RH Networking (Bel4, Redhill, 19:00-21:30) Try your first RH Networking event for free

21st - Discover more about the Surrey Venture Studio (online, 12:00-13:00)

 

Surrey High Street Growth & Innovation Support Programme (free online sessions):

14th - Attracting More Customers & Encouraging Them to Spend More (10:00-11:00)

14th - Making Better Use of Promotions & Social Media to Drive Sales & Growth (14:00-15:00)

 

MAY

11th - Health & Wellbeing networking (The Market Stores, Reigate, 19:00-21:00)

21st - RH Networking (Bel4, Redhill, 19:00-21:30) Try your first RH Networking event for free

28th - FSB Connect Reigate & Banstead  (Town Hall, Reigate 08.00-10.00)

 

JUNE

3rd - Source in Surrey Free Sales Training Workshop (Reigate Town Hall, 08:45-13:00)

10th - Health & Wellbeing networking (The Market Stores, Reigate, 19:00-21:00)

17th - RH Networking (Bel4, Redhill, 19:00-21:30) Try your first RH Networking event for free

25th - FSB Connect Reigate & Banstead (Town Hall, Reigate 08.00-10.00)
 
From our partners
 
 
Illustration of a white and blue rocket labelled ‘Surrey Venture Studio’ launching into space, with flames beneath it, a view of Earth’s clouds below, and a starry sky with the moon in the background.
Surrey Venture Studio takes off for second round of support
 

Applications for Round 2 of the Surrey Venture Studio’s entrepreneurial workshops are officially open. SVS is a pre-accelerator programme helping innovators and entrepreneurs across Surrey to explore whether turning an idea into a business is the right path. It is a competitive programme with catalyst grant funding of up to £25k up for grabs. Closing date for applications: 8 May

 
 
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Promotional graphic for the Supply Connect programme featuring the text ‘Helping small businesses unlock government contracts.’ The design includes logos for Enterprise Nation, Newable, and sponsorship by JPMorgan Chase. Several small images show different types of work, including metalwork with sparks, a commercial kitchen scene, a person using a tablet, and construction scaffolding. A button reads ‘Unlock growth.
Are you a small B2B business owner looking to grow sales?
Register with Supply Connect
 

Do you have a product or service that would be of interest to public sector buyers? Register for free with Supply Connect - a programme designed to unlock government contracts for SMEs.

 

Complete a short form to get started and access free tools, expert advice and practical insights.
 
 
 
A person with braided hair is sitting and holding an open laptop, with a pink and white background behind them.”
Grow your business with confidence
Business Academy
 

Whether you’re starting out, scaling up, selling overseas, or sharpening your digital skills, business.gov.uk has got you covered. With live online webinars and on-demand content covering on a whole range of topics, this free resource is worth exploring in more detail.
 
Find out more
 
 
 
Promotional graphic showing a person standing with folded arms in the doorway of a business, wearing a brown shirt and blue apron. The image includes the Business Surrey and Surrey County Council logos, along with the text ‘Get practical support for your high street business.
In case you missed it
Surrey High Street Growth and Innovation Programme
 

For businesses unable to attend an in-person workshop, the Surrey High Street Growth and Innovation Programme is running two free online sessions on 14 April:

10:00 -  Attracting More Customers & Encouraging Them to Spend More

14:00 - Making Better Use of Promotions & Social Media to Drive Sales & Growth

 

 
 
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A group of three people standing around a workbench in a workshop, looking at architectural or technical drawings. One person in a checkered shirt is pointing at the plans with a red pencil, while the others, wearing aprons, stand on either side. Various tools and wooden materials are visible on the table and in the background.
Apprenticeship support for SMEs
 

The DWP has announced a major youth employment drive alongside the biggest transformation of apprenticeships in a decade.

 

An Apprenticeship Incentive of £2,000 will be paid to SMEs for each new apprentice aged 16-24 taken on. In addition, for every young person a business hires (aged 18-24 and on Universal Credit), a new Youth Jobs Grant of £3k will be paid to that business.

 
 
More information
 
Businesses in the News
 
 
Flat‑lay image showing a cup of coffee, a printed newspaper, a tablet displaying a ‘Business News’ article about economic growth with a line chart, and a smartphone showing financial graphs and charts.

Tadworth resident and business owner, Louise Camby, has released a compilation of her composer grandfather's iconic music. Johnny Douglas from Kingswood was a renowned composer, arranger and conductor and probably best known for his beautiful score for the 1970 film The Railway Children. To honour his memory, Louise has released a triple album box set of his iconic music on both vinyl and CD. 
 
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