The neighbourhood is a central thriving hub within the Mole Valley local authority district. A relatively cosmopolitan area, it differs from the indelibly lush and rustic atmosphere of the nearby towns. The neighbourhood houses its own community of London’s professional sets and is a part of the capital’s commuter belt. With a past of arts and alternative music scenes, this town proves that Surrey can have the edge that city drifters look for. Furthermore, Leatherhead is home to major international corporations, like ExxonMobil and Unilever PLC. This proves the neighbourhood’s credibility as a leading commercial centre in its region.

This neighbourhood finds its beginnings in the Anglo-Saxon era, with the town’s local museum estimating the town’s origins to AD 880. Later on, in the twentieth century, it was clear that the witchy and goth roots of the district had long vitality. This assertion could be seen in the area’s alternative music scene of the seventies and early eighties. Goth and post-punk groups such as Siouxsie Sioux, The Banshees, and The Police recorded in the town’s legendary and formidable Surround Studious. These studios also hosted the recordings of folk artist Joan Armatrading as well as the punk band Head.

The town saw some recent teasing references from the popular series ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look.’ The series parodied the area’s residents as not-so-bright. While it gave people a good laugh, it’s definitely not true!

For a hub of arts and commercial leadership, it could be argued that the neighbourhood should have more innovative developments and features. Although possessing potential for such vital social and economic advancement, it still has yet to mark itself as a striking alternative to the adjacent city of London.

This neighbourhood will see some regeneration through the ‘Transformation Leatherhead’ programme. This programme aims to provide the town with an infrastructural makeover, new cycling spaces, and a refashioning of the local shopping centre. This almost £5 million scheme is primarily funded by the Local Enterprise’s Local Growth Fund, with some support by the councils of Mole Valley District and Surrey County.