Newsletter - Wed 26 Mar, 2025

By David Grantham

Two or three unitary councils for Surrey? Initial proposals for local government reorganisation have been submitted - indicating two or three unitaries in the county - plus a suggestion from Reigate & Banstead that the borders of Surrey and West Sussex aren’t sensible and it might be better for the borough to link up in some way with Crawley. More below.

The Reigate Morrisons cafe is on the list of 52 that the supermarket chain will close as part of changes expected in the next few months, the BBC reports (Opens in a new window). Morrisons’ chief executive has said (Opens in a new window) that in some stores it will work with a third party to provide an alternative offer.

Jeweller raid: Surrey Police say (Opens in a new window) that Philip Lloyd Jewellers in the High Street was broken into sometime between 11pm on Friday 14 March and 1am on Saturday 15 March. The suspects disabled store CCTV and smashed a window to enter via Pilgrim Mews. They tried to gain access to a safe but nothing was taken. Anyone with information that could help the investigation should contact contact Surrey Police (Opens in a new window), quoting PR/45250030778.

Day of Reflection: on Sunday 9 March Reigate & Banstead Borough Council took part in marking the start of the pandemic five years ago. The council said (Opens in a new window): “We joined the whole nation to remember those we lost during the pandemic, and paid tribute to those who kept our borough moving in particular all the carers and NHS staff. The Town Hall was lit in honour, and to show our appreciation.”

Chemist: Surrey Police have released CCTV footage (Opens in a new window) of three women they would like to speak to in connection with an incident at Boots in Reigate High Street last month. Police said: "At around 1.30pm on 17 February, three women entered the store and asked to see perfumes kept inside a locked cabinet. They then pushed past the member of staff and stole over £400 worth of perfume.” Anyone who can help identify or locate the women should contact Surrey Police (Opens in a new window) quoting PR/45250022267.

Art: “Fables and Folklore” work by early modernist Marc Chagall is the subject of an exhibition running at Adam’s Gallery in the High Street (Opens in a new window) until 4 May.

Stripey Stork has a opened a new workshop, the second site on Albert Road North for the Reigate-based baby bank. “This expansion not only addresses our pressing need for additional space but also enhances our capacity to combat issues such as bed poverty – a critical problem affecting many children in our community”. More, including a video and and how local organisations have helped the project, is here (Opens in a new window).

Police dogs Ella and Elvis joined Surrey Police colleagues, along with British Transport, Metropolitan, Kent and City of London forces, for “two days of targeted action across the rail network (Opens in a new window)” recently. The joint working led to 13 arrests for offences such as robbery, offences and drugs. Among them were two Redhill men arrested at London Bridge station in relation to robbery offences.

Star for a Night, Reigate & Banstead’s annual youth performing arts project, is open for entries (Opens in a new window). Participants get 28 hours’ of free tuition over 13 weeks, with no experience necessary, and the chance to perform in this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz, to be performed at Carrington School.

An e-bike battery that caused a house fire in Surrey has been banned for sale on Amazon (Opens in a new window) following the efforts of Surrey’s fire service and trading standards teams. “Consumers should always check that batteries and chargers meet UK safety standards and be cautious of cheap or unbranded products sold online,” said Amanda Poole of Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards.

Redhill robbery: sometime between 4.30pm and 5.15pm on Sunday 16 March, police say (Opens in a new window) five males knocked a boy off his e-scooter and then took it, outside Sainsbury’s in Redhill. The five suspects are described as black men, 5’6 - 5’8 tall, with a south London accent, with one wearing a dark Nike tracksuit and reflective balaclava. Anyone who has information that can help the investigation is asked to contact Surrey Police (Opens in a new window) quoting PR/45250031311 or independent charity Crimestoppers.

Two or three unitaries - and hello Crawley?

Surrey County Council thinks the county should have two unitary authorities, but most boroughs and districts (including Reigate & Banstead) would prefer three, according to initial proposals submitted to the Government last week.

And Reigate & Banstead has also floated the possibility of some sort of tie-up with Crawley, even though the town sits across the border in West Sussex.