A “game-changing” new restaurant, bar and cinema development in a Surrey commuter town 25 minutes out of South London is encouraging people to stay in the area as well as drawing in 200,000 visitors to the town centre over six months. Residents say the regeneration of Redhill means they no longer need to travel to Crawley or the “bit dead and horrible” Croydon for a trip out.
Despite this some are concerned existing traffic and parking issues will only get worse with more people heading into the town as well as worries over safety and the pressure on services, as reported by SurreyLive.
The Light cinema opened at The Rise entertainment development in Redhill town centre in June 2023 and includes a six-screen cinema, a ten-lane bowling alley, mini golf, climbing arena, karaoke, a restaurant and a bar. The Rise also includes retail and restaurant space with all-day café bar, Posadero Lounge, a Tesco Express, and a soon-to-open Creams dessert parlour. There are also 150 new one and two-bedroom apartments and improvements to public spaces.
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The development has been credited by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC) as a key reason behind an increase in visitors, SurreyLive previously reported. It said The Rise and The Light cinema and entertainment venue have brought 200,000 people to the town centre in the space of six months and led to an increase in footfall of 20 percent to The Belfry shopping centre.
The council also claimed people are staying in the town longer and travelling from further afield to visit. Now, Redhill residents have told SurreyLive that the development in the town is a good thing and they are glad to see money spent in the area. Others say they are concerned about safety, the impact on services, and traffic and parking.
Carolyn Anderson, 50, said: “We used to have to go all the way to Crawley to do anything, like the cinema was in Crawley, the bowling was in Crawley, everything was in Crawley.” She added that she found Croydon was the other main alternative but described it as “a bit dead and horrible”.
She continued: “So, having everything in Redhill is really, really good. We’ve got new flats, the station, the new cinema and new entertainment. It’s really good, it’s nice to have that there.” Carolyn added that schemes like The Rise can not only keep people who live locally in the area but also attract people from nearby towns like Caterham and Epsom because “they’ve got more choice”.
Redhill homeowner Joanne said anything that makes the town a more desirable place is beneficial and that the increase in footfall reported by the council is a positive step. She said: “It’s not often that I come into town, but when I walk past The Light, it’s younger people, definitely. I’m in The Belfry centre quite a lot and it’s definitely busier on the weekends.”
Joanne continued that she has recently had details posted through her door by a local campaign against development at Redhill Station. She told SurreyLive she can understand some of the arguments and that she shares concerns if traffic considerations and demand on local services are not addressed.
“It’s already quite difficult to get a doctor’s appointment,” she said. “So that does concern me. But I also know there is a need for housing and for me, I looked at Redhill because it’s a good commute to London.
“So, other people will want that. I don’t think they should be denied that and better housing.” She concluded: “It’s good to see some investment, especially when it’s private investment or a business that’s chosen to invest in Redhill and seen it as a business opportunity. That’s got to be a good sign.”
Mr Price agreed “it’s nice to see money being spent” but said “there are still a few shops that are closing, but that’s the way of the world”. He said The Rise looks impressive and joked he has only visited for a coffee because climbing is not his thing.
The pensioner said the efforts of the council and developers appear to be paying off and attracting new people to the area. He said: “There’s obviously a lot of office blocks that have become empty over the years and some have been converted into flats.
“In a way, that’s a good thing because it means the town centre is occupied.” He went on to praise the café in Redhill’s Memorial Park as a “godsend” during lockdown because he could sit outside with a hot drink.
Maggie, 23, described Redhill as a nice place to live and a “really nice area” but raised concerns about safety in the town centre. She also said she worries about parking issues being compounded if more people come to the area.
She said: “I think there are just a lot of new builds at the minute, like they just opened one up not too long ago and there’s one up by the station. I personally don’t think it’s a good idea. I mean, we’ve got enough parking issues and with them building more flats it just takes up more parking spaces. I live in a new build myself and we did have those issues.”
Maggie rated her visits to The Light as “really good” and said this is because “it’s more entertainment for everyone and it’s not as boring as before”. She claimed: “[Redhill] has gotten a lot better with The Light coming and all that entertainment.”
Other residents who have lived in the town for a number of years said the money being spent is making the centre prettier and that it means people do not have to leave to find attractions or dinner venues. One person said they relocated for work in 2016 and are optimistic about Redhill’s improving image but that there is still work to do.
Proposals have been submitted to RBBC that could see two tower blocks of flats and built. This has been described as having the potential to become Redhill’s tallest building but has been met with opposition. Further details can be found here.
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