Column: Ben’s Record – Titbits of Guildford News

Published on: 10 Feb, 2026
Updated on: 13 Feb, 2026

Introducing a new occasional column written by the very well-known Guildford character Ben Darnton of Ben’s Record’s in Tunsgate.

In the column Ben, who also publishes Guildford Past & Present, puts on the record titbits of Guildford news, discovered through simple observation and from keeping his ear close to the ground…

A Guildford pothole

Potholes

“Pothole!” I shouted – but too late. Half of my daughter’s breakfast, being eaten last-minute on the way to the station, leapt out of her bowl and down my jacket. Ugh!

I was driving her to Worplesdon this morning so she could catch her train to school. I know the road well and the position of most of the potholes but new ones appear all the time, some of them half hidden by water after all the rain.

Why is it our road surfaces are so very poor. I suppose it all comes down to money. But if the county council does not have enough what should we do? After all it is a safety issue too, ask any cyclist.

No wonder Potholes are the issue councillors say is the most frequently raised on the doorstep when campaigning for votes.

Moorfield Road in Slyfield, the road that leads down to the recycling centre, is absolutely terrible. Probably the worst in the borough. They get a lot of HGVs down there known to cause most road surface damage ad there are huge potholes.

I suppose the council might be waiting for the Weyside Village development to be completed but I would have thought that the holes could really cause some damage to vehicles. Ironically, it is where all Guildford’s car dealerships are now located.

The former Debenhams site.

Talking Shop

My undercover agent, code name “Boardman”, tells me all might not be well at the the old Debenhams site. Workmen have been heard mentioning water ingress in the completed groundworks. Let’s hope it’s not true. Certainly the construction seems to have paused.

Meanwhile in the Friary Centre, the former HMV shop is boarded up; presumably a refit is being carried out for the next mystery trader. The story goes that HMV were not even given an option to continue. The landlord said they had agreed terms with someone else and that was that. Seems unusual. Landlords are normally happy for tenancies to continue as there are always costs associated with changes. We will just have to wait and see who is going to move in.

Questions have also been asked about Poundland in North Street. I have heard that they will continue but perhaps give up some floorspace to Tesco. I will keep an eye out. I suppose Guildford will be lucky to keep a Poundland at all, when you look at the slew of branch closures across the country recently.

In the High Street, following Russell & Bromley, French Connection have now got closing down signs displayed.

Barrier Grief – Much Reduced

And a thank you to the wardens who man the barrier near my shop at the end of Tunsgate. They have shown more understanding and flexibility over the locking of the barrier and short-term parking while unloading. My customers do need to park close by while they drop off records and all the Tunsgate businesses have delivery needs, so the cooperative approach being shown by the wardens is much appreciated.

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