THOUSANDS of pounds from the Mary Portas fund will be used to help rejuvenate Horley.
Following the retail expert's damning report into the nation's high streets last year, the Government released £10 million to fund projects to boost town centres nationwide.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has been granted £100,000 from the fund, set to be split between Redhill and Horley.
Now the Horley Town Management Group (HTMG) is bidding for up to £50,000 of the money pot for schemes including improved signage and new sports and shoe stores for the town.
On Monday, the group agreed to spend £16,000 hiring consultant firm Metamorphosis Group to carry out an audit of the town.
The group says the in-depth report – which will examine traffic flow, footfall and shopping habits – will help shape its plans to revitalise the town and direct them on how best to spend the Portas pounds.
"It is exciting times for us," said HTMG chairman Andy Lynch.
"We are very much looking forward to the data coming out.
"It's the first phase in a long-term plan to make Horley a much better place.
"It is a good place now but we can make it better. This is work which is long overdue."
The group's plans follow the best-practice model suggested by Ms Portas, who set out seven principles to help towns improve.
With a town team representing different groups from the area already in place, HTMG hopes Metamorphosis will carry out the audit and then help shape its vision, the next two steps in Ms Portas's plan.
Mr Lynch said the group had a number of ideas but was waiting to see what Metamorphosis' report recommends.
Ellie Kidson from the Metamorphosis Group said: "Horley is a town of great potential with passionate people who really want to make a difference and we are thrilled to be part of this project."
Horley traders are keen to get moving.
Andy Parr, chairman of the Horley Association of Traders, said: "No one has ever taken the time to really look at what we need before.
"We have been asking how to improve Horley but we are asking people already there.
"The real success will be how we – all of us – use the information we get from Metamorphosis."
Horley Chamber of Commerce chairman Fiona Stimpson said: "It is amazing that some people still don't know about Horley, we get forgotten.
"We need to promote the town, but we need to know how to do it. This report should help us."
Metamorphosis will report back monthly to the group and will also offer training to local traders and help in implementing the schemes.
