Newsletter - Wed 26 Feb, 2025

By David Grantham

Plans to convert an office block near Reigate station into flats have been approved, but not the addition of an extra floor. More below.

The Range opened its new Reigate store (Si apre in una nuova finestra) on Friday (21 Feb), at the former Homebase site on Rushworth Road, near the station. The home, garden and leisure retailer’s store includes a ‘Garden Centre by Homebase’, with a selection of outdoor plants, gardening tools and supplies. Well-behaved four-legged shoppers are welcome, as part of The Range’s dog-friendly approach, provided they are on the lead. The store is “a one-stop-shop destination for home improvement and gardening” said Alex Simpkin, the CEO of CDS Superstores which owns The Range, Homebase and wilko brands.

• The mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr Eddy Humphreys, cut the ribbon on opening day, which included giveaways and product demonstrations (image: The Range)

The Beatles by Candlelight Experience is at St Mary’s church, Reigate, this Friday evening (28 Feb) (Si apre in una nuova finestra). “Lumos Live brings you enchanting concert experiences paying homage to world famous artists. We’ve partnered with spectacular locations & churches across the UK to deliver a concert experience that is nothing short of magical.”

The crossroads closure at the junction of Nutley Lane, Beaufort Road and Yorke Road continues. Surrey County Council has finished its work on a void in the road, with Thames Water now carrying out sewer repairs until 12 March, according to signs. Updates can be checked on the Surrey roadworks map (Si apre in una nuova finestra).

• Taken Tuesday morning

20-plus bags of cocaine, a large quantity of cash and multiple mobile phones were found when a man and his vehicle were searched in Redhill’s Gloucester Road car park last October. More cash and a false ID were then found at an address connected to him. Earlier this month the 29-year-old from Merstham was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment (Si apre in una nuova finestra) at Guildford Crown Court for Class A drugs offences and the possession of fake ID. £1,250 in cash along with mobile phones were also seized. Investigating officer Oliver Dujardin of Surrey Police said: "Drug-related crime can have a devastating impact on the community. I hope this outcome serves as a message to others that this will never be tolerated."

Developer cash: in the 2023-24 financial year Reigate & Banstead Borough Council spent £3.7 million of Community Infrastructure Levy money (the pot that developers are required to contribute to), on strategic and community projects, such as play areas, greenspaces, upgraded sports facilities, community buildings, and energy-saving measures. Locally, items included £737,000 of improvements for the YMCA Sports Centre in Redhill and £27,000 for upgraded WCs and changing facilities at Reigate Priory Football Club. More bids for funding are invited (Si apre in una nuova finestra).

New Music Nights has its next monthly evening at Reigate Priory FC on Friday 7 March (Si apre in una nuova finestra), offering “original live music in a brilliant, atmospheric venue”. Listed acts are Artaca, Tim Armitage, The Half Light, Graffiti and Sun-Pinned Leaves.

Green Futures: funding for Surrey’s climate change programme has been reinstated (Si apre in una nuova finestra) after the county council received £1.5m more in government grants than anticipated.

Foundation House: yes to flats conversion, no to extra floor