Local Politicians Visit Mole Valley Pubs, Restaurants and Cafes to Show Support

Published on: 12 Jul, 2020
Updated on: 15 Jul, 2020

As we are being told by the government to “Eat out to help out”, a trio of politicians last week visited some of the pubs, restaurants and cafes in the area straddling Guildford Borough and Mole Valley District.

Venues visited included: The Compasses Inn at Gomshall, Gomshall Mill, Kinghams in Shere and Toby Cottage Restaurant in Ripley.

Paul Beresford, MP for Mole Valley along with Cllr Richard Billington, Guildford Mayor and Mary Huggins, Mole Valley council chairman visited about 20 different establishments newly re-opened for business.

Sir Paul said: “The excitement to be serving clients again was palpable.”

To mark the occasion photographs were taken at each of approximately 20 venues and assembled into a collage.

Click on image to enlarge.

Cllr Richard Billington said: “Since the whole country went into lockdown in March no sector has been harder hit or more sorely missed than our pubs, restaurants and takeaway venues.

“Perhaps the best sign of our release from lockdown has been the reopening of these same establishments.

“To celebrate this I had the pleasure of accompanying Sir Paul Beresford the MP for the easternmost part of Guildford Borough to thank and encourage some of these places.

“Our visit took in Shere, Gomshall, Ripley and Horsley.

“As more places open across the Borough I will go and visit them to hear their lockdown stories and thank them for the pleasure they bring to our lives.”

Cllr Mary Huggins chairman, Mole Valley District Council said: “It was good to visit and share in the pleasure of re-opening with some of the Mole Valley pubs, restaurants and cafes after lockdown. It was great to see customers returning and impressive to see the actions taken to ensure that social distancing is recognised and that all will feel safe.

“Many of these have given so much to the community during the past three months re-inventing themselves as food shops and providing takeaways. Some had
donated surplus food to the excellent Mole Valley Community Fridge.

“Wonderful to see them back in business.”