This is the eighth edition of Time for Business - the newsletter produced by Guildford Borough Council for businesses in the Borough.

In this issue:

Affordable housing, A business perspective
The AirTrack Forum
Local food on your doorstep
Eating out in Guildford

Affordable housing, a business perspective

Many businesses in Guildford are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit staff to fill their vacancies. This is due, in part, to the cost of housing, which is out of the reach of many low to middle income earners. A wide range of businesses has reported staff shortages and there is a growing concern that if the problem is not addresses the competitiveness of the local economy will be undermined.

Some employers have worked with the Borough Council and housing associates to provide housing for their staff, without public subsidy or involving employers in managing accommodation. Some 500 homes have been provided in this way, including student housing.

Guildford Business Forum and Guildford Borough Council are keen to extend this type of approach for employers and are working in partnership with housing associations , on a package to provide affordable rented housing for staff. The emphasis is on action, which will have a fairly immediate impact on the supply of affordable accommodation in the borough. After the pilot exercise Guildford Borough council and the Guildford Business Forum will be hosting an event outlining how other businesses can get involved.

As well as taking practical steps towards providing affordable housing in Guildford, it is vital that the Council continue to lobby Government about this issue, particularly with regard to funding.

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The AirTrack Forum

AirTrack is a railway project that would change the fact of surface travel to Heathrow.

Although Heathrow is on the railway map with a high speed link to Paddington, there is a missing link. At present there is no access to the airport by rail form areas to the south and southwest of Heathrow, areas which contribute significantly to the economy of the UK, such as Guildford.

AirTrack would connect all Heathrow's major terminal with the London to Reading main line at Staines. The AirTrack line, some 4km long would link with the existing Heathrow Express tracks and exist the airport at its west end, under the site that would be occupied by Terminal 5.

Benefits include:

A new route to London (either Victoria or Waterloo calling at some intermediate stations where connections are available to Gatwick)

A route to Woking and Guidlford both of which are major rail interchange points to destinations throughout the south of England.

A route to Bracknell and Reading.

Reduced congestion. It is estimated that AirTracks services could attract five million passengers a year and take about 2,000 cars a day off the roads.

If you would like more information on the project please email George Burnett at Surrey County Council.

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Local Food on your doorstep

Local people have the chance to sample the best of what our countryside has to offer, thanks to a new guide, "Local Food". This free guide, promoting the best fresh produce in the area, features information on where to buy local products. In addition, the guide contains information on a range of issues of concern to consumers, including animal welfare, packaging, food miles and the impact on the environment. Local Food is available at Guildford Borough Council Offices, Libraries and the Tourist Information Centre. Please email Sarah Baker with you address if you would like to receive a free copy.

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Eating out in Guildford

A new guide to eating out in and around Guildford has just been published. The booklet gives details of pubs, restaurants and cafes in the areas. Copies are availalbe from the Tourist Information Centre or by emailing [email protected]

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