It might not be the Downing Street she’s aiming for, but on Friday Kemi Badenoch walked Farnham’s version, meeting local traders during a visit to the town.

Conservative leader Ms Badenoch was joined by Farnham’s MP Greg Stafford and Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on Farnham's Castle Street, with local MP Greg Stafford and Waverley Cllr Jane Austin.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on Farnham's Castle Street, with local MP Greg Stafford and Waverley Cllr Jane Austin. (Marcus McQuilton/Tindle)

They discussed tackling shoplifting and the ongoing roadworks as they made their way down West Street, and on to Farnham’s own Downing Street.

They were briefly stopped by Surrey County Council contractors working on the road, who voiced their support for Ms Badenoch before she visited Hamilton’s Tea Room.

There she met owner Steve Hamilton, whose recent photo on Downing Street has become the talk of the town.

Kemi pouring a pint in The Castle pub in Downing Street

Over tea, they discussed business rates, the Government’s increases to national insurance and the minimum wage. A key talking point was the challenge of employing younger workers.

Mr Hamilton said: “I want to employ young people in Farnham and give them opportunities, but the Government changes make it so employing someone over 25 is a better financial decision than hiring an 18 year old.”

Kemi Badenoch meets Steve Hamilton of Hamilton's Tea Room in Farnham.
Kemi Badenoch meets Steve Hamilton of Hamilton's Tea Room in Farnham. (Tindle)

After the meeting, the Conservatives walked back up West Street, stopping for photos with shoppers before visiting Serina Bar & Grill, which has recently relaunched.

Ms Badenoch met Mario, one of the managers, who said the Conservative plan to scrap business rates “would be a massive help to us”. He also agreed with government proposals to raise the minimum wage.

The visit concluded at The Castle pub on Castle Street, where the Tory leader poured pints before taking questions from regional and national media.

Kemi Badenoch at Serina Bar & Grill.

Speaking to The Herald, she addressed concerns over The Woolmead and business rates in Farnham.

Kemi said: “Waverley Borough Council are the ones, as far as I believe, to blame for why a brownfield site such as The Woolmead has not been built upon. The high CIL payment for a developer to change the planning means nothing is being built on it.

“The government are also to blame with the amount of housing being built in the area, as they have decided to decrease building in cities with sufficient infrastructure in favour of rural towns like Farnham, which are lacking similar infrastructure.”

Cllr Liz Townsend BEM, Waverley portfolio holder for planning and economic development, refuted the claims that the council was to blame for The Woolmead situation.

She said: “Waverley Borough Council has no powers to compel developers to build once planning permission has been granted.

“It would be interesting to know which statutory powers Ms Badenoch believes we could use to do so.

“We have previously lobbied both her government and the current government to introduce legislation that would give local authorities greater ability to ensure that approved sites are delivered, but no such powers have been forthcoming.

“In this particular case, the Woolmead site was purchased by Homes England — the Government’s own housing and regeneration agency — and is now being marketed for sale by them.

“It would therefore be appropriate for Ms Badenoch to direct her concerns to Homes England regarding the site’s progress.

“The council continues to stay in contact with Homes England and stands ready to work closely with any new owners to bring forward this much-needed development in the centre of Farnham.”