Among the many facets of the new-look, expanded Surbiton Festival will be a celebration of the town's thriving small-scale economic scene.

From craft creators to lawyers, the district has it all. The returning SurbExpo will give those who need a helping hand an added boost.

David Randall, vice-chairman of the Surbiton Business Community (SBC), said: "We're going to have three or four speakers and there are going to be round-table discussions for people's issues.

"We trialled it last year but it's going to be taken to a higher level for start-ups or businesses that are a bit further along.

"Surbiton's got a lot of small businesses. That's one of the things that we're trying to uncover - what exactly is Surbiton's impact on the business world?"

SurbExpo will run on Tuesday, September 15, at Glenmore House in The Crescent. For more details of Surbiton Festival's two-week line-up, visit surbitonfestival.co.uk.

A number of Surbiton's favourite shops now take the borough's local currency, the Kingston Pound, on a trial basis.

Andrew Connolly, from the Kingston Pound project, said: "We're looking forward to the festival. It's a great event because it puts Surbiton on the map.

"There are a lot of static businesses that are taking the Kingston Pound, and a few businesses that haven't got premises. We will be live throughout the Surbiton Festival."

For more information, including a list of shops where you can use Kingston Pounds, visit kingstonpound.org.

This year's festival will also encompass the Seething Trycyclingathon, which will be held on September 13. Families, experienced riders and vintage penny-farthing fans can all take part. Visit trycyclingathon.org.

If singing is more your thing, a week later you can take to the Thames and attend a voice workshop with Vocality Surbiton choir leader Ben Crawley on Raven's Ait. Contact catherine@vocalitysinging.co.uk to find out more.

The Four Femmes on the Thames will also be on hand with irreverent, comic tunes and twisted lyrics.