Extra funding agreed for restaurant at empty shop

Plans to put a restaurant at the former M&Co shop in Godalming High Street were approved in August last year

Plans to redevelop a shop unit which has been empty since 2021 have been given a funding boost.

In August last year, Waverley Borough Council approved plans to put a restaurant at the former M&Co shop in Godalming High Street, while homes are also planned for the site.

At this week's full council meeting, it was confirmed that Etec Group has been appointed as the main contractor for the restaurant development, which has been allocated an extra £540,000.

The council bought the site in 2022 with an original budget of £2.2m.

Portfolio holder for finance, assets and property, councillor Mark Merryweather, said: "This is an important step in the overall project that will bring new life to the high street."

Last month, the council's overview and scrutiny committee expressed concerns about the additional money needed to finance the project, which Conservative councillor Jane Austin said was "taking a very long time".

The Loungers restaurant is due to open before Christmas 2026, but the proposed homes still require further approvals.

Merryweather said: "The commercial element, which will be self-financing as a stand-alone part of the project, will unlock the main portion of the site for council-owned and operated affordable housing.

"This is a long-term investment in our community. The value of delivering high-quality, affordable council homes - owned and managed by Waverley for local people - is something no private developer would take on."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.