My Vegan Dulce de Leche by Vegan Crazy has been announced as the winner of this year’s Entrepreneur Academy. The Redhill-based food business, founded by Cintia Yankelevich, was one of 16 new businesses to compete to win an investment grant provided by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in conjunction with East Surrey College.

Applications are now open for the 2021/22 Entrepreneurs Academy starting in September.

Local Restrictions Support Grant

New applications for the Local Restrictions Support Grants (Closed) for 16 February to 31 March will be accepted up to the closing date of 31 May 2021.

Restart Grant

A Restart Grant is available to support shops (non-essential retail), personal care businesses, such as hairdressers and beauty salons, as well as restaurants and pubs, accommodation, and leisure. 

The Restart Grant will support non-essential retail premises with one-off grants of up to £6,000, depending on the rateable value of the premises.

Additional Restrictions Support Grant

for businesses who have closed or been severely affected by the current restrictions, such as those businesses in the supply chain. We are now accepting applications for the window 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021. Payments will be made for this full 3-month period in line with other government grants. 

Book your space for May's Learning Lunch on Wednesday 19 May 12-1pm. Hear from our great speaker, Karen Espley, The Chameleon Guide, as she reveals the 8 steps that you can use to weatherproof your business for any storm. 

• 12 May 11.00-12.00 RH Networking Book your space
• 19 May 10.00 - 11.30 Surrey Chambers of Commerce & Visit Surrey Post Covid recovery for the tourism and hospitality sector  Book your space
• 19 May 12.00-13.00 Reigate & Banstead Learning Lunch, How to weatherproof your company with  Karen Espley Book your space
• 20 May 15.00-17.00 Surrey County Council Spotlight on Surrey Innovation & the Future of Automotive Book Now
• 16 June 12.00-13.00 Reigate & Banstead Learning Lunch with local business hero, Matt Burgess, from Hurt Liqueur, talking about finding new markets, local opportunities and building your businesses.  Book your space

Peer Networks is a national peer-to-peer networking programme which brings together SME business leaders that want to grow and develop their organisations for future success.

The programme is delivered locally by the Coast to Capital Growth Hub, who create diverse cohort groups of individuals to work collaboratively through common business issues. Through the process of interactive peer learning, you will be able to discuss your own challenges, gain and reflect on valuable feedback, and implement practical solutions.

Peer Networks is fully funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Horley:

• Marriott International has opened its new Four Points by Sheraton branded hotel in Horley on the site which was formerly the Chequers Hotel. 

Redhill:

• AXA UK has been recognised in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women list for 2021

This programme will drive your business forward and give it best chance of success, whilst also providing a space for you to meet other business owners.  This course will be delivered over 3 days, in 4-hour sessions:

Wednesday 12th May 2021, 10:00 - 14:00

Wednesday 19th May 2021, 10:00 - 14:00

Wednesday 26th May 2021, 10:00 - 14:00

You will be provided with downloadable and printable resource to support each session and time to complete these during the sessions, with joint exercises also to complete to make it as interactive as possible. 

Visit our Supporting Local Business web pages for the latest business updates.

Information about Council services can be found on our website.

Follow RBBC on our social media channels.

Four projects to help revitalise Horley town centre were given the go-ahead on 17 September by the Council’s Executive. The 'Delivering Change in Horley' programme will deliver a set of four interrelated projects.

Residents and visitors to Redhill are being asked their views on the town centre’s Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). The existing order, now due for review, was issued in 2017. The Council is now running a six-week consultation in which it is asking the public to share views of the Protection Order’s impact over the past three years, as well as consider an extension and/or amendments. 

Great progress is being made on the Council’s new cinema, retail and homes development at Marketfield Way in Redhill despite the coronavirus outbreak. The first stage of works, to get the site ready for the main construction, is now virtually complete.

Residents have named Reigate & Banstead’s 11 new rubbish trucks. Almost 250 people took part and it was a tough decision for the crews to choose their favourites.

Following the reopening of the Waller Studio cinema in July, the Harlequin reopened its Café on 14 September. The Café is under new management and has a fresh look and a brand new menu.

The emergency community response has changed in line with residents’ needs and the easing of lockdown. The food store moved out of the Harlequin Theatre into new premises from where we continue to supply local food banks. Emergency food and prescription deliveries, as well as weekly welfare calls, have been phased out and alternatives put in place for vulnerable residents.

Have your say on a £1.5m project to revamp Merstham Recreation Ground. If you live in Merstham or use Merstham Recreation Ground, we'd like to hear your ideas for improving the park, located between Weldon Way and Albury Road. The consultation runs until 5 October. 

MEL Research is carrying out surveys on our behalf to seek local views to help improve our services. Research includes an online and telephone survey - please spare the time to take part if you are contacted. Anyone who wants to have a say can complete the online survey until Monday 5 October.

The new NHS Covid-19 app launched on 24 September. You’ll get alerts if you’re near someone who has tested positive for the virus and it's the fastest way to see if you’re at risk. The more people use the app - the more we can keep each other safe and stop infection rates rising.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Councillor Derek Allcard on Monday 7 September 2020.

Make sure your electoral registration details are up to date in the annual electoral canvass. Changes to the canvass process this year mean that residents may receive an email or text message from us about this for the first time.

Dorothy Ross-Tomlin and Michael Selby officially have been honoured for their long and outstanding service to residents of the borough. They received the title of Honorary Alderwoman and Honorary Alderman, respectively, during the virtual Extraordinary Council Meeting on 24 September.

The Redhill Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which regulates anti-social behaviour in the town centre, has been approved for a further three years following a review of feedback from residents, businesses, and local community groups. Look out for new and improved PSPO signage being introduced in the town centre.

Do you have experience in software development and technical ICT? We are seeking a full time Business Improvements Analyst, who has excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to help deliver our ICT and Digital Strategy. Closing date 4 November. Keep up to date with current vacancies and find out about working at RBBC.

The Council is working hard to help tackle food poverty in the borough. Last week, children and young adults up to 19 ate for free at The Harlequin Theatre. Plus, three local Food Clubs – in Woodhatch, Horley and Merstham – are aiming to be set up ahead of Christmas, using FareShare’s community food membership scheme. 

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has been awarded £132,264 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of their £56 million Welcome Back Fund.

The Funding will help councils prepare for the safe return of shoppers and tourists and can be used to:

• boost the look and feel of their high streets by investing in street planting, parks, green spaces and seating areas to make high streets as beautiful and welcoming as possible.
• Run publicity campaigns and prepare to hold events like street markets and festivals to support local businesses.
• Install signage and floor markings to encourage social distancing and safety.
• Improve high streets and town centres by planting flowers or removing graffiti.

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels to see how our town centres will benefit from this allocation.

The second issue of the quarterly Redhill Marketfield Way development newsletter is out now with an update on project progress to deliver a new cinema, commercial units and new homes, along with what’s coming up next and a chance to ‘meet’ the VINCI project team. 

You can also keep up to date by following VINCI’s dedicated project Twitter feed www.twitter.com/marketfieldway