Surrey: Godstone sinkhole could keep people out of homes for months

Catherine Sayer, leader of Tandridge District Council, said the authority was helping eight households, and said businesses might qualify for a reduction in rates while repairs were being carried out.

Furniss added that the county council was "looking at weeks, if not months" for repairs.

"We will have to excavate the whole area and build the road back up from the base, allow the utilities to come back in and reconnect, and then we will be able to put the road back on top of that," he said.

Graham Bristow, who runs Blossoms Cafe with his daughter, said: "She's trying to be brave about it" he said, "but she's extremely worried about what the next couple of months might bring.

"If we suffer, is there going to be any help, possibly in rates reductions? We don't know."