Economic development in Mole Valley: a leading Surrey business location
A strong local economy does not happen by accident. It is built through investment, infrastructure, skills and a business community willing to work together, and that is exactly where the Mole Valley Chamber plays its part.
Mole Valley is one of Surrey’s most productive districts and an increasingly popular Surrey business location, home to a mix of established employers, ambitious small and medium sized enterprises, and a growing number of start-ups across hospitality, professional services, retail and corporate sectors. Our role as the Chamber is to represent that business community, connect it to the right support, and make sure the voice of local businesses is heard by the organisations shaping the district’s future.
Why Mole Valley is a strong business location in Surrey
Whether you run a five person consultancy or a fifty person manufacturing firm, decisions made at district and county level affect you directly. Business rates, transport links, town centre regeneration, employment support and access to funding all shape the environment in which you operate. Mole Valley’s position, with fast links to London and the M25, makes it an attractive business location for companies looking to relocate to Surrey or expand within it. The Chamber exists to make sure decisions affecting that environment are informed by the realities of running a business here, not just by policy on paper.
What is happening locally
Mole Valley District Council leads a dedicated Economic Development Action Plan each year, built around priorities that include retaining and growing local businesses, developing skills, attracting investment and supporting the district’s town centres and rural economy. Recent progress includes the establishment of the Leatherhead Business Improvement District, continued investment in the Dorking Banking Hub, and the Mole Valley Employment and Skills Hub, which connects local people with employment and training opportunities and has already delivered a significant social impact across the district.
Dorking’s own Business Improvement District, Hello Dorking, has been driving footfall, events and town centre improvements in the district’s other main town since 2017, and is a good example of what business led investment can achieve.
At county level, Surrey County Council’s Business Surrey service leads the county’s Invest in Surrey programme, helping companies relocate to Surrey or scale up within it, alongside the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, which provides match funded grants for projects that support job creation, productivity and innovation across the county.
Surrey Chambers of Commerce, our sister organisation across the county, complements this work by connecting thousands of Surrey businesses every year, offering training, international trade support and a strong collective voice to regional and national government.
Beyond business support, the district’s growth also depends on wider assets. The University of Surrey offers local firms access to research, consultancy, funding routes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and student talent through placements and projects. Meanwhile, Visit Surrey promotes the county’s visitor economy, including Mole Valley’s own market towns and countryside, which supports hospitality and retail businesses across the district.
How the Mole Valley Chamber supports economic development
We work alongside these organisations, not in competition with them. Our focus is squarely on Mole Valley as a business location, and we do this by:
Advocacy, representing member views on issues such as town centre regeneration, transport and business rates, and feeding those views into district and county level planning. Our recent member survey is a good example of how we gather that input directly from you.
Connection, running regular networking events that bring businesses together to share opportunities, referrals and support.
Signposting, helping members access relevant funding, grants and advice through Mole Valley District Council, Business Surrey and Surrey Chambers of Commerce.
Visibility, promoting local business success stories and milestones, like our member spotlight on Humidity Solutions, to strengthen the profile of Mole Valley as a place to invest and grow.
Get involved
If you want to have a say in the future of Mole Valley as a Surrey business location, the best place to start is with us. Join the Chamber to connect with other local business owners, attend our events, and make sure your voice is part of the conversation shaping the district’s growth.
Contact us at marketing@molevalleychamber.co.uk to find out more, or explore our events calendar to see what is coming up.
