The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is now open to applications. The scheme is to support businesses that offer in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises, in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.

If you are a hospitality, leisure or accommodation business, check the thresholds and eligibility criteria and apply for a grant on our website.

The Council has secured further government funding, which it will use to support local businesses based in Reigate & Banstead, which have been severely affected following the increased infections since December 2021 due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

The income/turnover of the business must be shown to have decreased by at least 50% since December 2021 due to the spread of the Omicron variant.  

Applications will be open to all businesses that are not eligible to receive the Omicron Hospitality & Leisure Grant, although we will prioritise those applications from businesses who missed out on earlier grant schemes as well as:

• businesses which supply the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors
• businesses in the events sector
• businesses involved in the travel industry

15 & 16 January 10.00-16.00
The Business Hothouse, Dorking: How to start a start up for pre-start and early stage businesses

19 January 12.00-14.00 

Reigate & Banstead Learning Lunch: Get your business ready for 2022 (Town Hall, Reigate) 

26 January 18.30-19.30 Networking from 17.30

Redhill Business Guild Meeting, Harlequin Theatre & Cinema Redhill

27 January 10.00-12.00

Grants for Growth - Applying for Invest4 Funding 

16 February 12.00-14.00

Reigate & Banstead Learning Lunch: Let your ears do the talking (Town Hall, Reigate)

22 March 18.30 - 23.00

Reigate & Banstead Business Awards, Reigate Manor

23 March 18.30-19.30 Networking from 17.30

Redhill Business Guild Meeting, Harlequin Theatre & Cinema Redhill

25 May 18.30-19.30 Networking from 17.30

Redhill Business Guild Meeting, Harlequin Theatre & Cinema Redhill

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry for the Reigate & Banstead Business Awards. We had more than 100 entries before the deadline on the 21 November. Short-listed finalists will be announced on 24 January. 

We have taken the decision to postpone the #RBBA22 awards until Tuesday, 22 March. The awards ceremony, which recognises the achievements of local businesses across nine different categories, will be held at Reigate Manor and hosted by Gadget Show presenter, Ortis Deley. Get the date in your diary!

Come along to January's Learning Lunch. Disruption can hit your business at any time, the more resilient your business is, the more likely it is to survive disruption and come back stronger. There are simple steps to build resilience, many are applicable whatever the size of your business. A resilient business can respond quickly and effectively to a sudden disruption, is proactive and can react flexibly to new opportunities.

In this learning lunch, Chris will discuss some simple and straightforward tips that can help you when disruption occurs.

19 January Chris McFee 12.00-14.00

The Apprenticeship & Skills Hub is hosting an event to support local SMEs to grow their business through apprenticeships and skills options.

Armed forces Reservists and ex-service personnel bring so many skills to the workplace that can have a positive impact for your business. They can be quick to learn, self-disciplined and skilled in planning, organising and teamwork, communication, management and leadership.

Find out more about what your organisation could gain, achieve and how to ensure service leavers are aware of your job opportunity via the Career Transition Partnership website.

Over the last few weeks, our development of a cinema, commercial units and homes in Redhill town centre has hit some important milestones. The latest issue of our project newsletter is out now, with updates on progress with the build, what will be happening on site in the new year, employment and procurement and how the VINCI Foundation is supporting local charities.

On Monday 10 January, Morrisons Solicitors are rebranding as Morr & Co.  Since their recent acquisitions of Harrops & Hepburn Solicitors and Wheelers Solicitors, they have operated as three different brands across the region. Internally the picture is very different, and they have been fully integrated and united as one firm for some time.

To reflect this, they have chosen to come together and re-brand to Morr & Co LLP. For more information and to listen to their managing partner Paul Harvey talk about the changes:

Our public consultation on the 2022/23 budget proposals runs from 22 November 2021 to 17 January 2022 and we encourage residents, businesses and partners to give us their views.The proposals aim to manage the budget proactively, increasing some budgets and reducing others, by cutting costs, pausing some planned expenditures and/or finding new sources of income.

If you are an individual looking to volunteer to give back to your local community, support the next generation or develop your own skills; consider becoming an Enterprise Adviser for a local school or college! To find out more and to register please visit:

The Council’s annual Infrastructure Monitoring Report 2021 provides information on the contributions the Council has received from developments for providing new and improved infrastructure to support the borough’s development, and how it has spent those contributions for the reported year April 2020 to March 2021.

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. 

They are back! After a year on hiatus due to the pandemic, our annual celebration of the best business our borough has to offer is set to return on Thursday, 27 January 2022.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Gadget Show presenter Ortis Deley at Reigate Manor, with a wide range of the borough’s businesspeople in attendance, giving guests the perfect opportunity to network with peers and enjoy a night out with their colleagues.

Our Headline Sponsors are Morrisons Solicitors, a leading firm of solicitors with offices in Surrey, Hampshire and South West London.Entries for the awards will open from Monday, 4 October; make sure you get the dates in the diary! 

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.

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.

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.

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

Redhill:

• The Plan Group Ltd win The Best Insurance Employer - Small/Medium at the Insurance Post Awards
• Holly Chantler, Morrisons Solicitors wins the award 'Private Client Lawyer of the Year' and 'Lawyer of the year' at the Surrey Law Society Awards 2021
• SES Water rolls out water saving visits in schools repairing hundreds of hidden leaks for free In the past year SES Water has repaired 360 leaks in 89 schools across its supply area, helping to save nearly 320,000 litres of water per day
• Kokoro has opened 34 Station Road Redhill
• e-FOLDi wins Naidex Innovation of the Year’ award for the ‘Lite’ folding travel scooter.

Reigate:

• Just Group win Best Annuity Service at the Moneyfacts Life & Pension Awards 2021 
• esure continued their partnership with Stripy Stork and delivered 131 school bags and 15 boxes of supplies for their bags4school campaign.
• Crumbs Brewing wins great taste award from the Guild of Fine foods for Bloomin' Amber and Rye Ruby
• Entrepreneur Academy winner My Vegan Dulcedeleche wins great taste award from the Guild of Fine foods for My Crazy Fudge (Vanilla)

Horley 

• Double Award win (joint) for SGN at UK Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) Awards 2021 

Gatwick Airport is asking for comments on their proposed major infrastructure project for the Northern Runway. Their consultation runs until 1 December and you can also discuss the proposals when their Mobile Project Office visits our borough.

The Council will respond formally after we’ve reviewed all the information and we encourage everyone to have their say.

Surrey County Council is asking for feedback about a proposed new Gypsy, Roma and Traveller transit site in Tandridge. The site would be the first in Surrey and is close to the eastern side of our borough next to Tandridge district, near Merstham. Along with other districts and boroughs, we are also involved in this Surrey-wide project aiming to reduce the impact of unauthorised encampments on our residents and green spaces. You will be able to give views until the consultation's closing date on 8 October.

Take your business to the next level with Help to Grow. Two government backed programmes designed to help you learn new skills, reach more customers and boost your profits.

Help to grow Management

A 12 week-programme delivered by leading business schools across the UK and accredited by the Small Business Charter. The programme combines a practical curriculum, with 1:1 support from a business mentor, peer-learning sessions and an alumni network.

Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, this programme will support you to develop your strategic skills with key modules covering financial management, innovation and digital adoption. By the end of the programme you will develop a tailored business growth plan to lead your business to its full potential.

30,000 places will be available over 3 years. The programme is 90% subsidised by government – costing only £750.

Help to grow Digital

Free impartial advice on how technology can boost your business, delivered through a new online platform launching this Autumn.

You can also claim a discount of up to 50% on the costs of approved software, worth up to £5,000. Vouchers are initially expected to be available for software that helps businesses:

build customer relationships and increase sales make the most of selling online manage accounts and finances digitally

This consultation contains proposals to reform flexible working regulations (The Flexible Working Regulations 2014).

It also covers the wider work being undertaken by the government to encourage and support flexible working, and responds to relevant proposals from the July 2019 Good Work Plan: Proposals to support families consultation.

Flexible working can be particularly valuable for those who need to balance their personal lives with their working lives, including those with caring responsibilities. It can also bring benefits to employers – attracting more applicants and increasing productivity and motivation levels among staff.