BETTER links with Gatwick, clearer signs, and high-rise parking – these are just some of the ideas being considered to improve Horley.
Business leaders, councillors and residents have taken part in a "vision" session on the town's future.
The workshop was run by consultant firm Metamorphosis Group, which has been hired by the Horley Town Management Group to carry out an audit of the town.
The results will help direct the team on how best to spend money awarded from the Mary Portas campaign.
Following the retail expert's report into the nation's high streets last year, the Government released £10 million to to boost town centres nationwide.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council was granted £100,000 from the fund, which is being split between Redhill and Horley.
The recent workshop involved various creative activities, including inventing an imaginary friend and sharing their experience of the town, thinking of news headlines for Horley in five years time, and assessing the town's values.
When asked for a future news headline Antony Abel, who runs a Horley Facebook page, said: "Connect with Gatwick Airport. I think it's completely inevitable that there will be expansion and I think Horley needs to make the most of it, and I picked a headline that says, 'Horley as Gatwick's partner town'."
The management group – which comprises traders, community group representatives and councillors – has allocated £16,000 from the Portas pot to hiring Metamorphosis to carry out the audit of the town, of which £4,000 has already been spent.
According to group members there were plenty of positive comments during the latest session.
Many people, when asked to sum Horley up in a single value, said "friendly" while others went for "community", "simple", and "reliable".
Chris Sharville, of Horley, said his imaginary friend "liked the variety of charity shops".
Samantha Marshall, Horley town councillor, said: "I think Horley has lots of issues but it has so much potential to better than it is."
Other ideas raised included better signposting from surrounding towns and high-rise parking to free up town centre space.
What do you think the money should be spent on? Are their any improvements you'd like to see in the town? Call the newsdesk on 01737 783873 or e-mail editor@surreymirror.co.uk
