Surrey welcomes American burger chain Five Guys

Despite only launching in the UK seven months ago, America's fastest growing restaurant chain looks set to make a similar impact over here.

Five Guys, which counts Barack Obama as a fan, has been serving burgers and fries across the pond for almost three decades and is already winning praise from Brits following the opening of its Covent Garden branch last July.

This week the American import opened its fourth UK site, in Friary Street, Guildford and is due to open in Kingston next month.

The restaurant prides itself on sourcing ingredients locally and that everything is prepared and freshly made on site. There are no freezers; burgers are hand pattied each morning and fries are made from fresh potatoes, cut and cooked in peanut oil 'broadwalk' style.

The concept is simple, choose a burger (the menu has single or double options) and then add choices from the list of 15 toppings (and yes you can have all 15 if you want).

Fries come plain or spicy and, bar a couple of additional items on the menu, such as a hot dog and a veggie sandwich, that's about it - there are no frills. But then what fast food comes with frills?

The refreshing thing about Five Guys is that it doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is - a fast food joint that does really good fast food.

Five Guys can be found at 25 - 26 Friary Street, Guildford, GU1 4EH. Tel: 01483 570580. The Kingston branch is due to open at The Rotunda, Clarence Street, Kingston, next month. 

Celebrity favourite 'The Vampire Face Lift' lands in Guildford

It's favoured by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Anna Friel and now the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure, otherwise known as the Vampire Face Lift, is available in Guildford.

Absolute Aesthetics, which is based at the Surrey Research Park, showcased the treatment at an open evening last night.

Dr Kuldeep Minocha demonstrated how the procedure can increase volume in the face and rejuvenate the skin by using the body’s own serum (contained within the blood).

Not for the faint-hearted, the treatment involves extracting blood from the patient in exactly the same way that blood is taken for a standard blood test at the doctors.

The blood is the spun in a centrifuge, causing the blood cells, serum and platelets to separate into layers. The layer containing the platelets is then drawn up and collected into a syringe and injected into the area to be treated. 

Although the treatment sounds a little scary, as no foreign bodies are injected into the skin, it's actually a very safe treatment and one with little chance of an adverse or allergic reaction occurring.

PRP can be used to treat dark circles underneath the eye area, dull and uneven skin tone, fine crepey skin that develops on the décolletage and neck, the back of hands and tops of feet and even areas of thinning hair.

To achieve optimum results, between one and three treatments are advised with results lasting up to 18 months.

Sessions cost £550 each or £500 if more than one are booked at the same time and are available at Absolute Aesthetics, Stirling House, Stirling Rd, Guildford GU2 7RF. Tel: 01483 477189.

Guildford named Destination of the Year at Tourist Network Awards

Not only was Guildford crowned top shopping hot spot outside of London last year but it now has another trophy to add to the shelf - the town  has just scooped Gold in the Destination of the Year category at the Tourist Network Awards.

The awards recognise attractions and destinations that are committed to providing the best service and hospitality and, of course, a fantastic experience for visitors.

Lee Stevenson of Tourism Network, said: "With such a fantastic array of attractions, shopping, heritage and events, Guildford is a destination with a truly fantastic tourism offering.

"The town benefits from having such a proactive tourism team, dedicated to embracing visitors from near and far and sharing in Guildford’s wide appeal. It’s an enjoyable experience for all that visit, and a worthy winner of this category."

This latest award, won by The Guildford Tourist Information Centre, follows on from a Silver award at the Beautiful South Awards.

For information on places to go, places to stay and places to eat, and for tickets to local events in Guildford call 01483 444333, email tic@guildford.gov.uk or visit www.visitguildford.com.