Book your space for September's Learning Lunch and hear Luca from Monte Forte talk about the lessons they have learnt in business developing their Pizza business.  On Wednesday 15 September, Town Hall, Reigate (12-2pm) one not to miss out on, 

Banstead:

• Wessex Garage Doors have funded two publicly accessible defibrillators – one on the front of The Old Fire Station in Banstead and a second will be installed in Lower Kingswood at the company’s warehouse facility.
• Romans International have bought the nextdoor Ford dealership to expand its supercar showroom space

Redhill:

• B&Q are moving into the former Mercedes showroom in Redhill 

Reigate:

• The Rose Room coffee shop opened in Church Street
• Work is underway ready for the opening of Lounge café bar in the High Street (in the old Martins unit)
• Barnes and Fadden, who also have a shop in Redhill, are expanding and taking on the former Laura Ashley unit in Reigate with opening imminent
• Joules, the clothing and homeware retailer, is planning to open a store in the High Street (in the former Jigsaw unit)
• Sullivan Street Partners has agreed to acquire Osborne Infrastructure Ltd (Osborne’s civil engineering and infrastructure business).  Osborne will continue to focus on the residential and education sectors.

• 15 Sept 12.00-14.00 Reigate & Banstead Learning Lunch Local Business Hero - Luca Malavasi from Monte Forte shares his business journey Book Now
• 30 Sept 19.00 RN networking, the Cage Wine Bar, Reigate Book now Book now
• 6 Oct 17.00 RBInspire Mentor-Mentee Connect meeting,  Book now
• 17 Nov 12.00-14.00 Reigate & Banstead Learning Lunch, How to make your business greener.  Town Hall Reigate Book Now
• 3 Nov 17.00 RBInspire Mentor-Mentee Connect meeting, Book now
• 8 Dec 17.00 RBInspire Mentor-Mentee Connect meeting, Book now

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have launched  a new Business Growth Grant scheme which will provide business grants of up to £10,000.

The Grant will support local small businesses who can demonstrate growth and are looking for support to take their business to the next level.

The grant will be for small businesses of up to 49 employees.  The grant will be a ‘one off’ award to help a small business grow by enabling them to recruit new staff, invest in new plant or premises, or gain new accredited skills.

If you are a solo, micro business or small business owner who are pre-start-up, start-up or looking to grow to the next level – you can book to come to one of our events. You get to choose the topics you wish to discuss with a mentor and will be matched with a mentor accordingly for a 20-minute meeting. You can have as many mentor meetings as you wish during the 5pm – 8pm timeframe.

To be added to their mailing list to keep informed here.

There is a great team of mentors in place, but rbinspire is very happy to hear from experienced business owners with specific skill sets they feel they could contribute. Interested Mentors can contact Alastair on alastair@rbinspire.net

It has been very exciting to see our Marketfield Way development project in Redhill reaching new heights over the summer so far.

The third issue of our project newsletter is out now, with an update on progress, what’s coming up next, and a chance to hear what we are doing to boost local employment and procurement opportunities.

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

14 Sept 10.00 – 12.00 Grants for Growth – Applying for Invest4 Funding - This webinar is to help business to understand Invest4 Grant Fund criteria and process.  After the webinar we also offer a 1-2-1 follow up, where we can discuss specific project and offer guidance on the applications.  Book your space.

Grant application writing workshop – Invest4 Funding.  Remote workshop to discuss where to start with the Invest4 grant application, what the fund is looking for, how to word the answers on the application, most common mistakes when writing the application. All attendees will be given a workbook and offered a 121 to review their application.

Day 1 – 21 Sept 10.00 – 13.00 - Grant application writing workshop – Invest4 Funding - Day 1 of 2 Tickets, Tue 21 Sep 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Day 2 – 28 Sept 10.00 – 13.00 - Grant application writing workshop – Invest4 Funding - Day 2 of 2 Tickets, Tue 28 Sep 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

30 Sept 10.00 – 14.00 Business Planning (How to Write a Business Plan) webinar. Learn to write a realistic business plan with a clear strategy.  All attendees will be given a workbook and offered a 121 to review their business plan. Book now 

Planning, Managing & Growing My Business – Webinar – The Business Hothouse

This course will be delivered over 3 days, in 4-hour sessions: 26 Oct, 10.00 – 14.00, 2 Nov, 10.00 – 14.00, 9 Nov, 10.00 – 14.00 Book your space

There is a new business newsletter from trading standards,  Sign up to Trading Standards “Business Bites” a free digital publication that brings local businesses the latest business information and advice once a month.

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 

The Government is expected to confirm on Monday whether or not the country will be moving into Step 4 of the Government’s roadmap from Monday 19 July. This change could mean the end of social distancing and limit restrictions on businesses.

Keep an eye on the Government’s website and its Working safely during Coronavirus guidance for updates.