Businesses in Farnham have said they are feeling positive about a programme of improvements in the town, but there was concern about the government's changes to National Insurance and business rates.

Works which started in February include wider pavements, more pedestrian controlled crossings and changes to the gyratory, with two-way traffic introduced in parts of Downing Street and The Borough.

A Surrey County Council (SCC) spokesperson said they would continue to work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

The owner of Hamilton's Tea House, Steve Hamilton, told BBC Radio Surrey that the mood amongst retailers was "quite buoyant".

He acknowledged there were some concerns in the short term, including around pollution levels.

"Sometimes the perception on social media is that the traffic is worse than it is," he said.

"It flows. Yes, there's stagnation at certain times. That's short lived and the traffic does flow through.

"For customers, Farnham is going to be beautiful and a much nicer place to visit and shop in."

Mr Hamilton said they were being "hit hardest" by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to raise employer National Insurance contributions and reduce business rates relief from 75% to 40%.

Michaela Martin, owner of the boutique Mulberry Silks and a Farnham Residents county councillor, agreed it was causing problems.

"I don't think Rachel Reeves even thought about that… somebody who's never been in a small business doesn't realise [the impact]."

Ms Martin said she was "quite happy" with how the works were going and that she "can't complain" about trade at the moment.

"Farnham is a destination town," she added.

"We have so many people from Marlborough, Andover, across the south coast, Dorking and everything coming [here]."

An SCC spokesperson said: "While data shows that levels of car park use in Farnham remains the same, we will continue to work with the local community and local businesses to support Farnham, and to minimise disruption as much as possible.

"We'll also be encouraging people to consider how they travel into town, both during the works and beyond.

"Changing to walking, cycling, using public transport or parking in different car parks will all help reduce pressure on the town centre's roads."

A Treasury spokesperson said the government knew the "vital importance of small businesses" and had taken "necessary decisions on tax to stabilise public finances".

"We are now focused on creating opportunities for businesses to compete and access the finance they need to scale, export and break into new markets," added the spokesperson.

A Jersey brain tumour patient has said "processes weren't followed" after she experienced a delay in her diagnosis because she was not offered a CT scan.

Sophie Reid, 36, was taken to Jersey General Hospital after collapsing in her salon in September 2024.

She said her GP requested a CT scan for her, which took place two weeks after she collapsed, and it revealed brain lesions.

Health and Care Jersey (HCJ) said "learning about patient experiences is invaluable in helping us to improve service" but it could not comment on individual cases.

Surgery that took place in Southampton in December showed Ms Reid had a grade three malignant tumour, which means the cancer cells are growing quickly.

She collapsed at her hair salon, Stylistics Hair Studio in Five Oaks, and has only recently returned to carry out some administrative work.

Recalling what happened, she said "we were all laughing and joking" until she went to style a client's hair.

"I was trying to speak and nothing was coming out," she said.

"I felt like I was dying and I couldn't really explain it. I collapsed and I have no memory from when I was on the floor."

'I'm frustrated'

Ms Reid shared her story on social media to call for improvements to the health service.

"I know processes weren't followed – I've been told that," she said.

"When a 36-year-old person who is fit and active has a seizure – why wouldn't you give them a scan?

"I was getting told if I had my seizure in the morning then I would've had my scan straight away and I'm frustrated now because they don't have enough A&E to cover busy periods so processes weren't followed."

The Government of Jersey said in response to a Freedom of Information request HCJ did not have "dedicated policies for the management of either a first seizure" but in the absence of one the process was to "implement the guidelines provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence or Royal Colleges".

The Royal College of Emergency Care recommends CT scans for patients who have experienced seizures for the first time.

'Outpouring of love'

Ms Reid said the diagnosis had also affected the lives of her husband Jordan and their four children.

"It's difficult on some days," she said.

"We have two children with special needs so it's been a lot of up and downs for them."

A close friend launched a fundraiser to help the family while she was off work.

Ms Reid said of the support: "Our entire family are so grateful for the outpouring of love and donations we have received so far."

HCJ said Health Minister Tom Binet and other senior officials had met with Ms Reid to listen to her concerns.

A spokesperson said: "Learning about patient experiences is invaluable in helping us to improve services.

"As a department we are committed to continuously working to improving the delivery of care to Jersey residents and visitors."

Some small business owners in Wiltshire have said trading in cash has benefits – after the government said that, for now, firms will not be forced to accept it.

Bradley Buechel runs a coffee shop in Chippenham and said they had plenty of people wanting to pay in cash: "It's perfectly fine for us. We encourage it."

There are concerns that not being able to pay in cash will affect vulnerable people.

A Treasury Committee report this week stopped short of recommending a change in the law to force businesses to accept cash, but said the government had to improve its monitoring of the issue.

Mr Buechel runs the Nest coffee shop in Chippenham, as well as a tyre business in nearby Melksham: "Cash is actually better because there is no transactional fee. On card you have to pay a processing fee and you have to wait."

"I think it's good for society with cash. There is a huge demand for it."

One issue for small businesses, however, is having to deposit the cash at a bank, when many branches are disappearing from towns.

Becky Lyons owns the Pawesome Pet Shop and said card use could vary depending on the time of the month, but generally paying by card was most popular.

However, she said people were noticing that you need cash for when electronics go down.

"I'll accept any legal tender – I'm not going to tell people how to pay for their goods," she added.

Richard Tidmarsh runs a recruitment agency and dog-walking business – he said the use of cash was "very minimal" and mostly for the dog walking.

"We've got systems in place that can cover both. It will always be useful."