'Source in Surrey' roadshow coming to Reigate
24 March - sign up now
Do you want to grow your customer base and find out how to connect with larger organisations for more contract opportunities? The Source in Surrey roadshow will be visiting Reigate on 24 March at Reigate Manor. The fantastic Morgan Arnell from Reigate-based Crumbs Brewing will be the guest speaker, sharing his experience and insights.
Boost Your High Street Business in 2026
Register now
The High Street Growth and Innovation Support programme is due to launch very soon. If you want to be first in the queue to learn more about how it will help your independent high street business to grow, innovate and navigate town‑centre challenges, register your interest.
Save Money While Building Resilience
Free workshop - Reigate Town Hall - 18 March
Future-proof your business against the increasing threat of weather events, rising energy costs, and environmental impacts. Run by Surrey’s Sustainable Business Network, this free business resilience workshop will help you to create a plan to cut long-term costs, including energy bills.
The course is free, and by attending you will get a 1-year free license to Climate Essentials, a monitoring and reporting tool which can help your business win tenders with large organisations who have to create detailed supply chain emissions reports.
Some of the benefits of attending the course include:
- Learn how to create a plan to cut long-term costs, including energy bills
- Map and plan for future weather and climate risks
- Be prepared for future legislation that may impact your business
- Be well-positioned for tenders with large businesses who report on supply chain emissions
- Get 1 year free license to Climate Essentials
For more information, to sign up, and to see how the course and the Climate Essentials tool has benefitted other Surrey businesses, visit this Together for Surrey webpage.
Surrey Economic Growth Fund
Congratulations to Round Two recipients
Nearly 30 companies and entrepreneurs have benefitted from the second round of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. Surrey County Council launched the Economic Growth Fund in April 2025 to support businesses to accelerate growth, boost innovation and create new employment opportunities. Congratulations to Reigate & Banstead businesses Lesh and Fit with Frank who were successful in Round Two!
[Pictured: Dorian Isaacson from Reigate-based Rhevia who was successful in Round One]
Events round-up
Grants & Funded Programmes
Applying for grants and funded business support programmes can take a bit of time but it's definitely worth considering as the process of applying often helps you to focus in on what's really important to you or where the gaps are in your business. The following list includes a selection of programmes:
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Gatwick Diamond Unites
A new era for the South East
The Gatwick Diamond’s business landscape is set for a transformative shift as two long‑standing organisations merge. On 1 January 2026, the Gatwick Diamond Initiative (GDI) formally integrated into Gatwick Diamond Business (gdb), creating, for the first time, a single body representing both the region’s business community and its inward investment ambitions.
The merger represents an important milestone in the 70-year history of gdb and GDI. Both organisations have independently attracted, promoted and supported businesses of all sizes across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. However, the changing business environment and economic challenges of recent years means now is the time to offer the region’s 45,000 businesses a more streamlined, representative, single organisation to strengthen the business voice of the South East.
Today’s announcement formalises GDI and gdb’s shared ambition to do more for the businesses they serve. gdb now has an unparalleled opportunity to establish a single, authoritative and independent voice advocating for, and promoting, the Gatwick Diamond.
Find out how you and your business can get involved
Made Smarter
If you're an SME manufacturer or maker based in Surrey, Made Smarter South East could help you cut costs and grow your business. Eligible businesses include those who make tangible products, including but not limited to: food & drink, products or parts used in other manufacturing, furniture, home furnishings, pottery, glass, clothes, leather goods, health products, pharma, and safety equipment.
The Made Smarter programme provides a comprehensive package of support for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Enterprises to adopt industrial digital technologies. This includes access to expert advice on technology adoption, fully-funded digital leadership and workforce training, match-funded grants (up to £20,000) for technology investment, and fully-funded student internships to help with digital projects.
Smarter Travel to Work Grant
Apply by 13 February
Boost productivity, cut congestion, and relieve workplace parking pressure by applying for a Smarter Travel to Work grant from Active Surrey by 13th February 2026. The Smarter Travel to Work grant scheme supports employers to fulfil their travel plans and enable more staff to travel to work actively, on foot, by bicycle, and on public transport. Up to £5k is available for businesses. The deadline is 13 February.
Could you mentor a young person?
Be the vital spark that changes a young person's life
Are you interested in a great opportunity to give back to your local community? A national mentoring programme is quietly transforming young lives and is looking for volunteers across Surrey, but in particular in Reigate, Redhill and Horley.
MCR Pathways is an award-winning youth mentoring charity, working to level the playing field so all young people can achieve their ambitions.
When you’ve had the most unfair start in life, it’s easy to lose your way for the rest of your life. For too many young people, an unfair start means navigating life’s toughest challenges alone. The charity offers these young people a regular, one-to-one relationship with a volunteer mentor. Mentoring builds the young person’s confidence and motivation, instills belief, awakens ambitions, and expands their future horizons.
Mentors dedicate an hour each week listening to and encouraging a young person in their school, empowering them to believe in themselves and their abilities. By simply being there and offering support, young people are more likely to stay on at school, achieve their qualifications and go onto a positive post-school destination.
Mentoring not only improves the life of the young people being supported, it’s also incredibly rewarding for the mentor. Supporting someone to reach their full potential can increase your own confidence, develop communication skills, and give a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Mentors meet with a young person for 1 hour a week during the school day and term time only. No prior experience is required – just the ability to listen, empathise and have the desire to make a positive impact. If you are kind and caring you qualify! Volunteers must be 21 or over and complete a DBS check. Training, resources and ongoing support are provided.
Ready to get involved?
If you’re interested in mentoring and have any questions, please contact Liz Grace, liz.grace@mcrpathways.org. Or, if you’re ready to sign up, go to: mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor
YMCA Sleep Easy
Sponsor a Box
YMCA East Surrey is holding its 14th annual Sleep Easy event in Memorial Park, Redhill on Friday 6 March, with access to Florries Cafe facilities for the evening.
Could you and your team trade your warm comfy beds for one night to sleep out in a cardboard box and sleeping bag? Or could your company sponsor a box for £100?
While this event doesn’t aim to replicate the reality of homelessness, a night spent sleeping out helps us to imagine what it is like to not have a safe, warm place to call home.
All money raised through SleepEasy goes directly to YMCA's Employment Support Fund, which provides financial support to young residents to gain access to employment, education and training. Last year, YMCA East Surrey provided a home to 129 young people along with personalised support to get their lives back on track.
Sign up or sponsor a box
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