Elmbridge Borough Council continues to invest in local businesses and high streets

We are continuing to take decisive action to back local businesses, high streets and jobs through our 2026/27 Enterprise Elmbridge Action Plan. At our March Cabinet meeting, Councillors will hear how we are driving a strong and resilient local economy, with high business start‑up rates, rising footfall and sustained investment in our town and village centres.

• Our borough is home to 8,485 businesses – the largest business base in Surrey – and we continue to see more new start‑ups each year than anywhere else in the county. Despite national economic pressures, footfall remains strong and vacancy rates across our high streets are below the national average.
   
• We are delivering significant new, business‑led investment through four Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)  across Esher, Cobham, Walton and Weybridge. Together, these partnerships are delivering over £550,000 of additional investment each year to fund town centre improvements, events, marketing and safety initiatives alongside our council services. 
   
• We have also invested more than £1 million in local businesses through our Business Boost grants, helping independent traders improve shopfronts, bring empty units back into use, grow online and adapt to changing customer needs.
   
• Major public investment is underway across the borough, including £2.5 million of transport improvements in Weybridge and £470,000 to deliver the first elements of the Esher Vision, improving public spaces, accessibility and the overall experience of our town centres for residents and visitors.
   
• Over the past year, we have supported 120 young people with expert advice and support to help them get back in to employment or training through our Youth Hub partnership with Brooklands Technical College.

Our 2026/27 Enterprise Elmbridge Action Plan steps up action to support the night‑time economy, backing hospitality, leisure and cultural venues to bring more people into town centres, reduce operating costs and create safer, more vibrant places after dark. This includes targeted support for evening businesses, promotion of local food, drink and culture, support for events, improved lighting and safety measures, and better use of outdoor space.

Alongside this, we have a strong programme of investment and action planned for the year ahead:

• extending free parking to support local shopping, with 30 minutes free parking across all town and village centre car parks and free parking on key dates such as the run‑up to Christmas
• bringing high‑street art to town and village centres, brightening public spaces and attracting visitors – the Walton mural planning is underway.
• greening our town centres, with improvements to urban gardens and shared public spaces
• helping businesses cut costs and carbon, with 10 green business grants supporting high‑street independents and SMEs to decarbonise
• delivering cleaner, more attractive high streets, including deep cleans of paving in four town centres, improved signage and public‑realm improvements shaped with local businesses
• strengthening support for independent shops and cafés, with grants to improve shopfronts, expand outdoor seating and help businesses go greener
• making town centres safer, with increased CCTV monitoring, continued joint action with Surrey Police and businesses, and new tools to tackle crime and anti‑social behaviour
• supporting more events, markets and promotion, including farmers’ markets, business awards, town‑centre campaigns and festivals that bring people into local high streets
• supporting more people into jobs and training, through continued delivery of the Youth Hub, jobs fairs and skills support

Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and the Local Economy, said:

“We are investing directly in our town and village centres and backing the businesses that keep them thriving. By working side by side with local businesses and partners, we are delivering busier high streets, safer town centres and places where residents want to shop, spend time and come together.”

You can read the 2026/27 Enterprise Elmbridge Action Plan ahead of March Cabinet on 18 March.