Are there any guides about on how to remove the centre console surround, i.e. the handbrake audio aux in area?

Danke!

I've sort of poked around at it because I lost a coin underneath it, but after seeing how many of those annoying and easily breakable retention clips there are where it joins with the vertical bit under the gear lever I gave up. If you do decide to go for it, keep in mind there's a screw or bolt under the rubber mat in the rearmost cupholder as well, and you'll need to pull it back hard enough to get it out of the clips, but not hard enough to yank the wiring for the aux and other electronic bits underneath.

Did you ever manage this Andy? I've still got a USB lid down there somewhere, ready to jam the handbrake at the most inconvenient moment. M