Surrey


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-love-lounging">Love lounging?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="932" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Posadero-Lounge-Redhill-interior.jpg" alt="Posadero Lounge, restaurant, café and bar in Redhill, Surrey." class="wp-image-55756" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Posadero-Lounge-Redhill-interior.jpg 1400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Posadero-Lounge-Redhill-interior-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Posadero-Lounge-Redhill-interior-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Posadero-Lounge-Redhill-interior-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Posadero-Lounge-Redhill-interior-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></figure>



<p>Foodie news incoming! Popular café, bar and restaurant, <a href="https://thelounges.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lounge</a>, is coming to Godalming bringing a bit of urban chick to the High Street. The all-day eatery will take over the former M&amp;Co site which has been vacant since the store&#8217;s closure in 2022. We&#8217;re expecting the new Lounge to channel a vintage vibe with chic eclectic styling. Food wise, Think all-day menus with brunch, burgers and tapas, plus cocktails and coffees. </p>



<p>The café, bar and restaurant is part of the popular Loungers stable, which first opened in Bristol in 2002 by three friends who wanted to create a neighbourhood café-bar where they would want to go. Roll on a couple of decades and they now have more than 220 Loungers bars across the UK, including Corzo Lounge in Reigate, Posadero in Redhill, Caballo in Epsom, Marciano in Woking, Nostrano in Staines and Liberto in Egham. The Cosy Club is part of the same group. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-at-taste-of-italy-in-caterham">At taste of Italy in Caterham</h2>



<p>A taste of Italy has come to Caterham in the form of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-SMRqloNdZ/?img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portovenere</a>, a rustic Italian deli selling the best traditional Italian produce and artisan groceries. It&#8217;s great news for those familiar with the hugely popular La Spezia Deli in South Croydon &#8211; former owner Giorgio Raffaelli is the man behind Portovenere. The specialist Italian deli &#8211; at 1 Godstone Road on the roundabout in the centre of town &#8211; will sell goodies like pasta, cheese, meats, olive oil and wine. <em>Buon appetito!</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-kitchen">From the kitchen</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1071" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Chef-Alec-Mackins.jpeg" alt="Chef Alec Mackins" class="wp-image-55738" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Chef-Alec-Mackins.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Chef-Alec-Mackins-800x571.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Chef-Alec-Mackins-1000x714.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Chef-Alec-Mackins-400x286.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/09/Chef-Alec-Mackins-768x548.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alec Mackins is the new executive chef at Wotton House in Dorking.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Wotton House in Dorking has welcomed a new executive chef, Alec Mackins, who brings with him a passion for sustainable and innovative dining. Chef Alec has an impressive CV which includes the likes of Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa at Redhill, Woodlands Park Hotel near Cobham and Ghyll Manor Hotel in Horsham. At Wotton House, he&#8217;ll focus on sustainability and hyper-local ingredients which includes growing vegetables and herbs in the Wotton House gardens. </p>



<p>Meanwhile, The Victoria in Oxshott has also appointed a new executive chef. Chef Daniel Lee comes from culinary background that includes senior roles at  Seasons Kitchen and Farm Shop in Windlesham, Warbrook House in Hook and Pennyhill Park in Bagshot. The high-end gastropub celebrates its third birthday this September.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-french-bistro-in-richmond">French bistro in Richmond</h2>



<p>Lovers of French fare are in for a treat with the opening of <a href="https://www.mignonettebistro.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mignonette</a> in Richmond this month. The French bistro, which opens on Thurs 5 Sept, is the latest offering from the former Michelin-starred chef John McClements, who was previously behind the award-winning Ma Cuisine group of French restaurants in south west London. Mignonette takes over the former Restaurant 109 site on Kew Road and will serve modern French food with a focus on seasonal ingredients. It&#8217;s an intimate dining space, with room for about 30 diners, and there&#8217;s also a private dining room downstairs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fashion-news">Fashion news</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/04/Courtyard-shopfront-SQ.jpeg" alt="Courtyard women's boutique in Guildford, Surrey" class="wp-image-47768" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/04/Courtyard-shopfront-SQ.jpeg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/04/Courtyard-shopfront-SQ-400x400.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/04/Courtyard-shopfront-SQ-525x525.jpeg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/04/Courtyard-shopfront-SQ-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>The gorgeous <a href="https://courtyarduk.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Courtyard Boutique</a> in Guildford has been shortlisted for not one, but two prestigious Drapers Independent Awards 2024. The popular indie women&#8217;s boutique,&nbsp;on the cobbled Angel Gate between Guildford High Street and North Street, was opened in 1996 by founder Julia Jaconelli. And it&#8217;s not the first time the boutique has been recognised by Drapers. Courtyard won the Drapers award for Best Independent Womenswear Store in the UK in 2017. This year, it&#8217;s up for two awards &#8211;&nbsp;Best Independent Womenswear store in the UK and Independent Star of the Year. <a href="https://elphicks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elphicks</a> in Farnham has been shortlisted for Best Department Store in the UK. The winners will be announced on Thurs 19 Sept at a ceremony at JW Marriott&nbsp;Grosvenor House in London.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-on">Moving on</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ.jpg" alt="Liz Trendle, founder of The Gate Boutique in Guildford, Surrey." class="wp-image-52203" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/02/Liz-Trendle-The-Gate-SQ-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Liz Trendle who owns The Gate Boutique in Guildford and Catwalk in Godalming.</figcaption></figure>



<p>In more fashion news&#8230; fabulous indie women&#8217;s boutique <a href="https://thegateboutique.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gate</a> in Guildford has moved from its North Street location to a new home on the High Street. The Muddy award-winning women&#8217;s boutique opens in its new home today (Tues 3 Sept) at 72-24 High Street, directly across the road from The Angel Hotel. The Gate has been in Guildford for 13 years, opening in 2011 as a sister boutique to Catwalk in Godalming. Fashion&nbsp;collections at The Gate are eclectic and unusual – with a mix of&nbsp;familiar brands and&nbsp;those that are not so widely known. Think American Vintage, By Malina, MaxMara, Not Shy and Paige. We&#8217;re excited to discover that the new shop will house some brand new collections &#8211; just in time for the A/W season. Ready to shop?</p>



<p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://mayflowerspadorking.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayflower Spa and Beauty</a> has also moved from its premises in the Grade II-listed building on West Street in Dorking&#8217;s historic old quarter to a new home&#8230; across the road. The new space is smaller, but they do say the best things come in small packages. The spa will continue to offer the same treatments and experiences, but in a more intimate and cosy setting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-end-of-an-era">End of an era</h2>



<p>But while it&#8217;s new beginning for some, it&#8217;s sad closures for others. We&#8217;re super sad to hear the news that after 65 years in Cranleigh, the boutique department store <a href="https://one40.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One40</a> has closed its doors. The family-run shop, at number 140 High Street has been in the hands of Richard and Elaine Graham for the past couple of decades selling a cool and eclectic range of women’s and men’s fashion, homewares and gifts. The couple announced the closure this week saying that &#8220;having put their heart, soul and plenty more into the business, it has got the better of us&#8221;. </p>



<p>One40 opened in 1959 &#8211; back then as Graham&#8217;s &#8211; by Richard’s parents John and Kathleen Graham. It&#8217;s seen massive change over the years, including a rebranding about 25 years ago and major expansion going from just two small rooms to a store spread across three split levels which also included a café.&nbsp;A sad day indeed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertain-future-for-weyfest">Uncertain future for Weyfest</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/05/WeyFest-stage-Insta.jpeg" alt="Musicians on stage at Weyfest, Surrey" class="wp-image-47635" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/05/WeyFest-stage-Insta.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/05/WeyFest-stage-Insta-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/05/WeyFest-stage-Insta-1000x666.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/05/WeyFest-stage-Insta-400x266.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/05/WeyFest-stage-Insta-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/05/WeyFest-stage-Insta-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">WeyFest in Tilford, Surrey. <em>Credit: WeyFest Instagram</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>More sad news incoming. This one about about the boutique music festival Weyfest which looks unlikely to run next year. The four-day festival, held in August each year at the Rural Life Museum in Tilford, has announced it may not continue in 2025. The Rural Life Museum itself faces closure unless £150,000 can be raised by the end of October &#8211; and without a secure venue for the festival its future is shakey. Festival organisers say rising costs are also a factor. Six bands had already been booked for the 2025 festival, but their bookings have been cancelled. Ticket sales are also on hold. All is not lost though. We&#8217;re told that organisers are open to exploring ideas like new investment or crowdfunding so the show may go on. This year&#8217;s festival was the 18th.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-play-time-in-woking">Play time in Woking</h2>



<p>A new soft play centre and café is opening this month at the Peacock Shopping Centre in Woking. <a href="https://www.oasisplay.co.uk/pages/woking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oasis Play</a> will include separate soft play areas for children aged under 8 and under 3, as well as a sensory room. There will also be a party room and a café. Sessions will be for 75 minutes. This is the second Oasis Play centre &#8211; the first opened in Uxbridge in October 2023. The Woking venue is due to open on Sat 28 Sept.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat-out-for-less">Eat out for less</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/pizza_express1-1.jpg" alt="A girl eating pizza at a table wearing a Pizza Express chef's hat." class="wp-image-167438" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: PizzaExpress</figcaption></figure>



<p>If the summer holidays have taken a large bite out of your bank account, then help is at hand. <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PizzaExpress</a> is running a promo for cash-strapped families this month (from <strong>Thurs 5 – Thurs 26 Sep</strong>) with its appetising 2-4-1 deal. In a nutshell: buy one classic pizza and get the second for £1. Well, every little helps (please note that T&amp;Cs apply). In our ‘hood our faves are Pizza Express in Woking, Caterham and Cheam.</p>



<p><strong><em>Want more news and goss? <a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/things-to-do/latest-news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to discover news you might have missed.</a></em></strong></p>


Superflashy newsflash! The hottest food and fashion news in Surrey

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