The votes are in, and a new Mayor has been elected in Haslemere.

Oliver Leach, owner of Oliver’s Coffee Shop, was elected by the Town Council and will hold the mayorship for one year.

Having already donned his new bling, Cllr Leach said: “It is a real privilege and honour to be elected. I am looking forward to working with all the amazing volunteers and other organisations in the coming year.”

When Cllr Leach opened his coffee shop, he was one of the first to sign up for Marcus Rashford’s ‘Free School Meals’ campaign and has been hosting a monthly free meal for the Haslemere Food Bank since 2022.

“I was in a position to give a little back and felt it was the right thing to do, especially after Covid and the cost-of-living crisis,” said Oliver. “Though I can’t take credit, it was my wife’s idea!”

Cllr Leach’s chosen charities for the year are the KSS Air Ambulance Surrey and St Bartholomew’s Church Link Project.

“The KSS Air Ambulance helped my family when we needed them, so I want to use my time as Mayor to help them. They are a donation-funded project that plays such an important role in our society. The Link Project is going to be a massive community hub that will house the Citizens Advice Bureau and Crossways Counselling. It will be such an important hub, and if I can help get it across its funding line, then that will be such a result.”