Investing in a thriving Elmbridge takes many forms for Elmbridge Borough Council, supporting local business as a landlord is one of them.

Sarah Selvanathan, Deputy Chief Executive, tells us how the council approached its high street shops during COVID lockdowns.

“There can be no doubt that successive COVID lockdowns took their toll on local businesses. As a landlord, Elmbridge agreed that we wanted to support our high streets with occupied units and we worked with local businesses to agree terms agreeable to both.”

In Cobham for example, a local beauty practitioner with her own line of beauty products, took over the former estate agent on the High Street which had become something of an eyesore. In Esher the Old Post Office had stood empty and unused for over a year, before terms were agreed with local family business, Nordic Style, which designs and manufactures furniture. At Church Street Weybridge, Fish’d took over a unit to become the second ‘bricks and mortar’ fishmongers in the borough.

Sarah adds; “Supporting a sustainable and thriving Elmbridge starts with us as the council and a community leader and we are prepared to step up and provide the support our local economy needs.”

More information on business support in Elmbridge.