News in Godalming

Braced for an influx of customers as the mercury rises today are the staff behind the counter at Godalming Delights, the ice-cream and sweet shop in Church Street.

The shop, which is also famed for its delicious waffles and amazing milkshakes, saw queues out the door yesterday afternoon as the sun made an appearance.

Being stuck at home for weeks during lockdown has meant many of us have piled on the pounds.

But one woman whose mission it is to help people lose weight says the members of her classes have done a great job of keeping it off – with one member losing two and a half stone over the period.

A new Community Rail Partnership that seeks to link local stations with the communities they serve has won Government accreditation for its work.

The Surrey Hills to South Downs Community Rail Partnership is overseen by new recruit Lucy Lomax, who has been working largely via Zoom through lockdown to start engaging with people along the line.

Godalming's branch of fashion chain M&Co has escaped the axe as the company makes major changes to try to survive in what is becoming an increasingly hostile retail environment.

The company, which appointed administrators in April, has announced that it plans to shut 47 branches across the country, with the loss of 380 jobs.

Here is a roundup of the latest planning applications to be submitted to Waverley Borough Council. The list covers the period up until 20th July.

Copies of planning applications are available for inspection on the council's website at

WH Smith has said it could cut up to 1,500 jobs after the coronavirus pandemic led to a fall in customer numbers.

The move could affect staff at the Godalming branch, although the company has not yet given any indication which stores will be affected.

Godalming Town Council's planned move from its Bridge Street home to the former Raquet Shop building opposite the Pepperpot has been delayed due to coronavirus.

The council says work on the building, to make it fit for use as office space, and to make the building compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, had to stop during the pandemic. Now it has restarted but is, as a result, behind schedule.

The Godalming branch of Pizza Express is not among those earmarked for closure as the company moves to restructure its debts.

The company announced on Tuesday morning that it is planning to enter a company voluntary arrangement in the 'near future' in a bid to push down its rents at its sites across the country.

A Godalming photographer and television producer who has been documenting life in the town during lockdown has raised a staggering £4,000 for charity by photographing people on their doorsteps.

Matt Gordon took photos of isolating households during his daily walks.

Police have slapped a temporary dispersal order on Godalming town centre, including the Phillips Memorial Park, after weeks of complaints about drinking and antisocial behaviour in the park and the cloister.

The order was issued at 9pm on Friday night and will stay active until this Friday (August 7th). It applies from 4pm to 2am each day.