What do you do with:
- a toaster that no longer works?
- a faulty vacuum cleaner?
- a sweater with moth holes?
BIN IT? NO WAY!
Repair Café is repairing broken items together, getting advice, encounters and inspiration. Repair Cafés are community events that match people who need stuff fixed with people who like fixing things.
Repair Cafés are completely non-commercial. There are no promises and no guarantees, but if something can be saved the repairers will give it their best efforts. Repairers are always keen to teach you how to do the repair – or at least have you watch while they do it.
Costs?
You just pay for any parts needed, plus a voluntary donation if you can. There is no charge for entry or repair but donations are gratefully received and help pay for costs.
What?
You can basically bring anything* you can carry that will not make a mess in the venue. Here are some suggestions:
A bicycle, clothing in need of repair, small electrical or electronic appliances, lamps, toys, mobile phones, laptops, printers, items that need gluing, a clean/repair etc.
Whatever it is*, it might not even be broken – just dirty, and you don’t know how to clean it without damaging it – or you can’t work out how to use it without the manual – bring it along. *Bring anything apart from microwaves and CRT devices such as old style televisions.
You can even bring more than one thing – though to be fair, we have limited each booking to one item, so you may have to join the queue a few times!
Where?
NEW – due to more space needed for more fixers, we have a new location for September 2025:
Victoria Centre
46-50 Palk Road
Wellingborough NN8 1HR
When?
On the Second Saturday of each month, 9am – 12 noon (except August)
NEW – No need to book!
Previously we have asked anyone bringing an item to be fixed at the Repair Café to register it beforehand. From Saturday the 13th September 2025 we will be trying a different system. Rather than registering, you can just turn up!
There may be a bit of a wait, but there will be hot drinks available and you can have a look round if you want to and we will give you a number so you don’t have to queue. We will try it out for a few months and see which system works best.
Please bear in mind that not everything can be fixed, but we will do our best.
*Click here to read the House Rules before bringing you item to Repair Cafe.
Do you like fixing things?
We are also seeking more repairers, so if you want to share your skills (whatever they are) we would love you to get involved! If you are good at fixing things and want to save stuff from being thrown away, please do get in touch with us at repair.cafe@wellingboroughecogroup.org.uk
Feeling Social?
If you are on Facebook, we have a group for you too, join in now at Repair Café | Facebook for sharing advice and fixes. The group works on the same principles as our in-person Repair Cafe does, but do be aware that anyone in the community can offer advice, so Wellingborough Eco Group does not take any responsibility for bad advice, if in doubt contact us!
Right to Repair
We have joined the Right to Repair Campaign, find out more about it here.