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SURVEY WILL SHAPE FUTURE FOR SHOPS

Shops and businesses are at the heart of a thriving village and Claygate’s Shops and Businesses Advisory Committee, working with the Parish Council, is busy building local support by conducting surveys and learning how other villages and towns nurture their businesses.

Under the banner Claygate: The Way Forward and advising the Parish Council, the group aims to help shops and businesses by increasing footfall and fostering collaboration. As part of this initiative, it is launching a survey of Claygate's shop and business owners to gain insights into their experiences, challenges and ideas.

The group has looked at successful approaches elsewhere, which has informed the questions it is asking – focusing mainly on how we can enhance the local shopping experience, promote Claygate businesses more effectively, and explore ideas. One recent recommendation from the Residents’ Survey that has already borne fruit is the introduction from April of 30 minutes of free parking in car parks run by Elmbridge Borough Council.

Feedback from the survey will be put in a report to the Parish Council and serve as a foundation for initiatives. Later in the year, the group will share the survey findings at an event hosted by the Parish Council.

The group encourages all shop or business owners with premises in the village to take part in the survey and help shape the future of Claygate. For everyone else, each purchase made locally helps to sustain the heart of Claygate’s community.