Up to 2,250 homes at Redhill Aerodrome? The site has appeared in Tandridge’s emerging local-plan process, but it has not yet been allocated for development and has no planning permission.

Harlequin work could begin in November. The council is completing the theatre’s technical design and hopes to agree a construction price in October and begin works in November. The work is estimated to take 12 to 15 months.

Live music has stopped at The Cage. The Reigate venue has cancelled performances following a Noise Abatement Notice, although the council says the notice itself does not prohibit live music.

This weekend: Listen to What the Ladybird Heard at Gatton Park, hike across Reigate Heath, visit Redhill Market, join a free ParkPlay session or take the microphone at The Garibaldi.

Surrey Live reports that Redhill Aerodrome has been identified as a potential site for as many as 2,250 homes as part of Tandridge District Council’s emerging Local Plan. A development of that scale would be one of the most significant changes to the Redhill and Nutfield area in decades and would inevitably raise questions about roads, schools, healthcare, public transport, the Green Belt and the future of the aerodrome.

The important qualification is that this is still an early planning-policy stage. Tandridge District Council says that inclusion on its submitted-sites map does not allocate the land for development, grant planning permission, change Green Belt boundaries, establish the principle of development or indicate council support. Any later planning application would still need to be considered separately.

Why it matters: Even though no development has been approved yet, decisions on large-scale housing can put pressure on local services such as transport, schools, medical facilities and green spaces. Residents can respond to the current consultation until 11.59pm on Wednesday 2 September.

Source: Tandridge District Council

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council says the Harlequin Theatre is now in the final technical-design stage. The current timetable envisages completing that work by September, agreeing a detailed construction price in October and beginning onsite work in November.

That November start depends on the proposed price remaining within budget and the council obtaining permission from the building’s head leaseholder. The construction itself is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months, which would take the project into late 2027 or early 2028 under the current assumptions.

The theatre has been closed since September 2023 following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. The planned work includes removing the RAAC, replacing the roof structure, replacing the air-handling system and installing two new windows. A third-party theatre operator has been selected, although its identity has not yet been announced.

Why it matters: The Harlequin was a significant cultural and entertainment offering for the local area and it’s closure has been felt by all. Delays to October’s construction price and the proposed November start could push the reopening further into 2028 forcing residents into waiting longer for the reopening of this beloved service.

Source: Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

The Cage Wine Bar on Reigate High Street has cancelled live music until further notice after receiving a Noise Abatement Notice from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council on 5 August. The venue remains open and trading, but its owners say live entertainment has been an important part of the business for more than 20 years and that losing it could threaten the venue’s viability.

A petition supporting live music at The Cage had attracted more than 9,000 signatures when reported earlier this week. The venue says it had already shortened event finishing times and reduced volume after concerns were raised.

The council gives a different interpretation of what the notice requires. It says the notice does not ban live music and that the decision to cancel performances was made by the business. According to the council, events may continue provided they are managed so that they do not create a statutory noise nuisance for neighbouring residents. Council officers say they remain available to discuss how the venue might comply.

Why it matters: Reigate town centre is an important local hub for hospitality, restaurants and music but must balance residents’ right to reasonable peace. Much of the community that enjoy the hospitality and live-music are hoping the venue can find operating conditions that allow performances to resume.

Source: Morning Advertiser

Nick Abear of the Green Party has been elected as the new borough councillor for the Hooley, Merstham and Netherne ward following the by-election held on Thursday 6 August.

Abear received 934 votes. A total of 2,242 ballot papers were issued from an electorate of 8,244, producing turnout of approximately 27%.

Why it matters: The result gives residents in Merstham, Hooley and Netherne a new representative during the final months before Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is due to be replaced by the new East Surrey Council in April 2027.

Source: Reigate & Banstead election results and Who Can I Vote For?

The Post Office branch inside TGJones at 5 The Belfry, High Street is scheduled to close on Saturday 5 September.

The closure will affect people who use the town-centre branch for postal services, cash withdrawals and everyday banking transactions. Regular customers should check the Post Office’s branch finder to find replacement services after the closure date.

Source: The Post Office.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has received a £12,141.86 grant to remove chewing gum from Redhill’s streets and discourage future gum littering.

The money comes from the national Chewing Gum Task Force, which is administered by Keep Britain Tidy and funded by major gum manufacturers. The council says the funding will support both pavement cleaning and longer-term efforts to change littering behaviour.

Why it matters: Visibly cleaner streets can make a material difference to how residents, visitors and prospective customers experience the town centre.

Source: Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.

Reigate School’s main open evening will take place on Thursday 1 October. Families can also see the school during an ordinary working day through tours running from 28 to 30 September and 5 to 9 October, with sessions beginning at 9.10am and 10.10am. Tour places are limited and must be booked through the school office.

Carrington School’s open evening for Year 7 entry in 2027 will take place on Thursday 8 October, with no advance booking required. Open mornings will follow on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October. Places for the mornings will be limited, with bookings expected to open in early September.

Reigate College will hold open evenings from 5.30pm to 8pm on Tuesday 29 September, Thursday 1 October and Monday 5 October. Applications for September 2027 entry open at midday on Monday 21 September; the college says applications received after 1 November will be placed on a waiting list.

The independent school is holding a working open morning on Thursday 10 September, a sixth-form information evening on Thursday 17 September and its annual open day on Saturday 26 September. All require advance registration.

Dovers Green will hold its “Open Morning Wander” family sessions for children starting reception in September 2027 on Wednesday 23 September and Tuesday 6 October, from 10am to 11.30am.

An independent nursery and preparatory school, will hold a working open morning for Reception to Year 6 entry on Friday 2 October from 9am to 11am. Its Early Years Open House for Nursery and Reception families takes place on Saturday 10 October from 10am to 11.30am.

Applications for a state secondary-school place for September 2027 must be submitted by 31 October 2026.

Applications for state Reception and Year 3 places must be submitted by 15 January 2027. More local primary schools are expected to announce their autumn visit dates once the new term begins.

Year 9 pupils at Carrington School have completed the First Give programme, researching social issues, learning about local charities and organising activities to raise money and awareness.

The pupils supported eight organisations, including East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services, Renewed Hope, the Lucy Rayner Foundation and Waythrough. After presenting their projects to a judging panel, the winning team secured a £1,000 First Give grant for Waythrough, which provides mental-health and related support services.

The wider programme included a charity afternoon, a fundraising raffle, a fun run and pupil presentations explaining the social action undertaken by each group.

Surrey County Council’s Cabinet has approved the relocation of Reigate Priory Junior School from its current Priory Park site to a new, purpose-built school at Woodhatch Place on Cockshot Hill.

The new school will retain Reigate Priory’s five-form entry structure. Construction is expected to begin later in 2026, with the new building currently planned to open in 2028.

Residents, businesses and visitors have until Sunday 23 August to comment on the Public Space Protection Order covering Redhill town centre.

The order covers the pedestrianised shopping area, Memorial Park, the pedestrian railway underpass and Clarendon Road car park. It is intended to discourage specified forms of antisocial behaviour and gives police and council officers additional powers to intervene.

The council is reviewing how the order has operated since its last renewal in 2023 and whether it should continue.

Source: Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

Gatton Park is running a What the Ladybird Heard story-and-activity day on Friday 14 August.

Children can listen to Julia Donaldson’s story, complete a related craft and then follow a trail around the garden. Morning and afternoon sessions are available between 10am and 3pm.

Cost: £8.50.
Booking: Essential.

Event details and booking: Gatton Park

A guided 8.5-kilometre circular hike leaves the Buckland area at 4pm on Friday, following countryside trails towards Reigate Heath before returning for an optional evening swim at Buckland Lake.

The walk is expected to take around two and a half hours and includes woodland, heathland and views towards Reigate Hill. The optional swim takes place afterward and must be booked separately in advance.

When: Friday 14 August, 4pm–8pm and Sunday 16 August, 7:45am–12:45pm
Hike: £12.50.
Optional swim: £10.50, booked separately.
Meeting point: Near Buckland Deli, Dungates Lane.

Event details and booking: 14 August. 16 August.

Redhill ParkPlay offers an hour of free community games and activities at Carrington School on Saturday mornings.

Children, parents, grandparents and carers are welcome. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and advance registration is requested. No dogs allowed.

When: Every Saturday, 11am–12 noon.
Where: Carrington School, Noke Drive.
Cost: Free.

Event details and registration: Park Play

The Garibaldi’s monthly Garioke night returns on Saturday, promising karaoke with “no talent required”.

The community-owned pub also has a breakfast event for armed-forces veterans on Saturday morning and its regular meat raffle on Sunday afternoon.

Garioke: Saturday 15 August, 8pm–11pm.
Where: The Garibaldi, 29 Mill Street, Redhill.

Event details: The Garibaldi

The Redhill Arts Takeover returns from 5 to 12 September, with more than 30 events planned across the town and many performances available free of charge.

The programme includes live music, dancing, drawing, poetry, workshops, local writing and family activities. Headliners include Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, ska band Potato 5 and Rivers of London author Ben Aaronovitch.

There will also be two outdoor live-music stages, the Recycled Fashion Show, spoken-word events, workshops and performances from local artists and community organisations. Some events require advance booking.

View the programme and book: Arts takeover

The next rumoured Reigate Caves open day takes place on Saturday 12 September.

The caves beneath the town offer a fascinating look at Reigate’s history, but places can be limited. Advance booking is recommended.

Event information: Date not yet confirmed but keep checking Reigate Caves website.

Before throwing away a broken household item, local residents may be able to get it repaired by volunteers. Repair cafés now operate regularly in Redhill, Reigate and Merstham, helping people save money, reduce waste and share practical repair skills. They are free to visit, although visitors may need to pay for replacement parts and donations are welcomed.

The Redhill Repair Café meets at the ASG Community Centre on the third Saturday of each month and has a Library of Things alongside it, allowing residents to borrow equipment they may only need occasionally. Reigate’s café operates from Woodhatch Community Centre on the final Saturday of the month, while Merstham’s meets at Merstham Community Hub on the first Wednesday. Redhill’s next session will be Saturday 15 August, from 11am to 2pm.

A little extra good news: Chris Shaw of Reigate Repair Café was among the people recognised at the 2026 Reigate & Banstead Volunteer Awards, which honoured 55 volunteers, trustees, teams and long-serving community figures.

For more information: Repair Cafes

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