Today, I went out to visit businesses on Esher High Street to see how they’ve been doing since re-opening.

Together with local Conservative Councillors Steve Bax and Peter Szanto, and Richard John, I met cafe owners, hairdressers and dry cleaners who have been really resilient during Coronavirus, and who have put in a great deal of work to make their premises COVID secure. I want to say a special thank you to the brilliant team at Boots, whose prescription service has been vital to local residents.

It was also encouraging to hear how businesses had been making use of government schemes like Eat Out to Help Out, which by giving customers money off their meals has been increasing footfall in cafes and restaurants.

Local businesses have been benefiting from the whole range of government support. New data published this morning, for example, shows that 2,029 businesses in Esher and Walton had been offered Bounce Back Loans by 2 August, worth over £66 million. In addition, 82 businesses had been offered Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, worth almost £26 million.

I’m looking forward to meeting more businesses across Elmbridge in the coming weeks, listening to their experiences and making sure they can continue to thrive post-Coronavirus.