Reigate Fire Station Reopens With Free Community Open Afternoon
A Refurbished Station Returns to Croydon Road
If you have driven down Croydon Road in recent months, you will have noticed the work going on at Reigate fire station. The site has now been redeveloped, and this Friday residents are invited to see the results for themselves. The station has been given a new kitchen, a gym and a lounge for the crews who work around the clock, along with refitted bays for the fire engines. For a building that serves our part of town, these are not cosmetic changes. Firefighters spend long shifts at their base, and better facilities mean a more comfortable and better-equipped team when a call comes in. The open afternoon runs from 2pm to 6pm and is free to attend. Visitors can look around the station and see the fleet up close, which is a rare chance for children and adults alike to understand what happens behind those big red doors. It is also a reminder that the station is part of the everyday fabric of Reigate, not just an emergency service tucked away out of sight. Parking near Croydon Road can be tight at busy times, so arriving on foot or by bike is a sensible choice if you live nearby. Dan Quin, chief fire officer at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, described the event as a chance to mark a momentous occasion and have some fun with the community. For many of us, that is exactly what a local open day should be.
Who Benefits From the New Base
The biggest winners from this project are the crews who have been working from temporary arrangements while the building was rebuilt. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service moved its teams to another building on the same site during the works, which began in 2024. Those months were not easy, and the delay the service previously cited was attributed to the extensive planning required before any work could start. Now the crews have modern facilities designed for long shifts, including somewhere to eat, train and relax between calls. Surrey County Council funded the project, and the new space also makes room for South East Coast Ambulance Service to support what it describes as closer working. That matters for anyone who has waited for an ambulance or fire response in an emergency, because joined-up teams can make a practical difference to response and coordination. The council has also said the work took an electric and solar-powered approach, helping the site meet net zero targets. Local businesses may see some benefit too. Contractors, suppliers and tradespeople across Surrey have been involved in projects like this, and the wider building trade, from Guilford builders to small firms here in Reigate, often picks up work from public sector refurbishments. For residents thinking about their own homes, the same skills apply: a loft conversion or loft rebuilding project requires careful planning, licensed electricians and a clear timetable, much like the station work.
What Residents Should Know and Do Next
If you want to attend Friday’s open afternoon, there is little to prepare beyond clearing a bit of time and bringing comfortable shoes. Admission is free, and the event gives families a relaxed way to see the station and meet the people who keep the county safe. It is worth taking a look at the fire safety advice on display too, since many local incidents start in ordinary homes, from kitchen fires to faulty electrics. Checking smoke alarms and making sure they work is one of the simplest actions any household can take this week. Looking ahead, the key things to watch are how the new facilities are used once the crews settle in, and how the closer working arrangement with the ambulance service develops over the coming months. Local councillors and the county council may be asked to report on the project’s cost and environmental performance, so it is reasonable for residents to ask questions at public meetings. If you are considering home improvements, such as a loft refurbishment, get several written quotes, check that builders are insured and ask for references from recent local jobs. Reigate has a strong community spirit, and events like this show what can happen when public services invest in their buildings and invite the neighbours in. Follow BBC Surrey and local council channels for updates, and send any story ideas to the newsroom.
Source: Reigate Fire Station to celebrate reopening with community event
