On Wednesday 8th June, the Surrey Hills Enterprises’ team visited Pilgrim Brewery in Reigate for a special networking event organised by Reigate and Banstead Business, the Economic Prosperity team from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, in partnership with Surrey Hills Enterprises.
Bringing together local Reigate and Banstead-based businesses under a theme of ‘the Power of Place’, the event considered the importance of local provenance, local values and sourcing locally to building a successful brand, whilst celebrating unique Surrey businesses and their contribution to the local economy and ‘brand Surrey Hills’.
The afternoon event included guest speakers sharing their take on the theme and their wisdom with the other local business attendees.
Chris Robinson from Chalk Hills Bakery and Morgan Arnell from Crumbs Brewing, both talented Surrey Hills Enterprises members who are trailblazers in their fields, working in an artisanal and sustainable way to produce products of the highest quality, spoke on the power of place to their individual brands and how they have harnessed the sense of locale in building successful businesses, both within the Surrey area and further afield.
Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, spoke on the benefits of Surrey Hills Enterprises’ membership and the strength of the Trade Mark Surrey Hills, awarded to businesses that stand for quality, local provenance and sustainability within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and easily recognisable to both consumers and other businesses alike.
As the afternoon progressed, refreshments were provided by Ranmore Common-based Chimney Fire Coffee, who served their delicious responsibly-crafted coffee to eager guests, alongside beers from Pilgrim Brewery.
Chalk Hills Bakery served a sumptuous afternoon tea including Sponge Cake, Orange and Almond Cake and moreish scones with clotted cream and local jam, irresistible to many.
A relaxed and positive event, the afternoon provided a vital platform for fantastic conversations to take place between local business leaders and entrepreneurs, with discussions on the theme of ‘the Power of Place’ and working collaboratively to further grow successful, sustainable Surrey businesses.
