“Businesses have been opening new premises in Cranleigh’s vibrant High Street before, during and after lockdown despite the gloom of Covid-19″, said Rosemary French OBE, President of Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce.

“Cranleigh village is delighted to welcome Cranleigh Furniture, Moooh! Ice Cream and Bright Care at a time when post lockdown research from KPMG is telling us that shoppers are choosing to remain locally during these anxious times.”

Cranleigh Furniture opened 20 years ago and quickly moved into online sales, supplying the whole of the UK from its small shop.

Just two weeks before lockdown, its owner and founder Paul Arding opened a large new showroom on Cranleigh High Street, offering everything from value furniture for students to well-known, established brands.

Online sales kept the business busy during the lockdown and the new store recently reopened with a flourish to meet the needs of the influx of new residents from the hundreds of new houses being built in Cranleigh.

At the other end of the High Street, next to the Baptist Church, Bright Care moved into new premises as soon as lockdown finished.

Bright Care offers a home care service where the elderly can live out their later years in their homes with peacefulness, security and companionship.

Founder Tim Cocking was the winner of Scottish Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 and has expanded his business throughout Scotland. He selected Cranleigh to establish his southern HQ, to spearhead the growth of Bright Care throughout the South of England.

Amanda Carter started Moooh! Ice Cream 5 years ago in a classic Citroen H van called Mirabelle, bringing deliciously flavoured ice cream to Cranleigh Common and to neighbouring events, weddings, and festivals.

This month, she launched their newly opened corner shop in Ewhurst Road, in the iconically designed former Cranleigh Village Hall. No dreary meetings there but instead offering such mouth-wateringly enticing flavours as Plum and Cinnamon, Lotus Biscoff, Mango Sorbet and Lemon Meringue!

Rosemary continued, “Times could not be harder for our High Streets but there cannot be a better place for visitors and residents to ‘stay safe and shop local’ than Cranleigh with its array of independent shops, copious parking, a safe shopping environment and several continental-style outside eateries.”