FAQs
HOW DOES A REPAIR CAFE WORK?
When you arrive you will be met and asked about your item and asked to read the Repair Cafe Houserules. You'll then be directed to one of our repairers. We do not charge for repairing but do appreciate donations to support the work of the Repair Cafe. If parts are required we do ask that you buy these, however we can help you source the correct parts.
We do not operate a booking system so if all our repairers are busy you can wait and enjoy a cuppa from the Eden Cafe in the Vicarage School Room.
If we are able to repair your item it will be weighed on completion.
what can you repair?
We have menders on hand that can repair many different items including; electrical, mechanical, clothes, vacuums.
Some of the items that the team have fixed in the past year include; TVs, shredders, lights, trolleys, telephones, jeans, barometers, bags, dehumidifiers, blankets, mixers, vacuums, shredders, scales, torches, shorts, video players, jewellery, lamps, coffee machines, toasters, teddys, percolators, trays, blenders, kettles, toys, fairy lights, christmas decorations, printers, umbrellas, wetsuits, walkman, stools, soup makers, hairdryers, jumpers, rucksacks, secateurs,
how many things can i bring to be mended?
To cut down on waiting times during busy periods a maximum of one broken item per person, however you are welcome to join the back of the queue if you have something else to be mended.
do i need to wait while you repair?
No, once you've talked to a repairer about your item you are welcome to leave, as long as you return to collect your item before we close at 3.30. Alternatlely you are welcome to stay and learn more about how your item is being repaired, or have a cuppa at the Eden community cafe.
can i leave things to be collected next time?
No, due to space and insurance reasons we are unable to keep hold of your item between sessions. You must take your item away before 3.30.
what do you charge?
We don't charge to repair your items, but we do welcome donations that help keep the repair cafe running. If specific parts are needed to fix your item you will need to buy these, however our repairers can help you find the right part.
why do you weigh fixed items?
By repairing items we are preventing them from being thrown away into landfill. By weighing mended items we can quantify the impact we are making, both as a local group and worldwide as a movement.
can you fix clocks?
We will help with electronic or battery powered clock repair, but mechanical clock repair is very specialised skill, however there is a horologist (clock repairer) at Marnhull Repair Cafe.
can you repair zips?
Zips can be quite tricky and time consuming to fix so we are not always able to do this and would recommend for the most professional finish you contact a local sewing specialist.
If you want to discuss your item before bringing it to us please contact the team by email, or over facebook or instagram.
what if my item needs a part?
If you know what part you need and are able to source it please bring it along to the repair cafe. If we identify that you need a part to fix your item our team will help identify the correct part and where to buy it. Once you have the part please come back and the team will be able to complete the repair.
my item is really big can i bring it?
If you can carry it through a normal sized doorway you can bring it down, however please be aware that we don't have parking, but there is a public car park on the High Street. It is possible to pull up outisde the Vicarage School Room to drop large items off, however please be considerate of local residents and ensure that you do not block the drive of the house next door.
If you want to discuss your large item before bringing it to us please contact the team by email, or over facebook or instagram.
can you do pat testing?
Yes we can PAT test your items. We will always PAT test electrical items once we have repaired them.
what happens if you can't fix my item?
Sometimes a repair is not always possible. Our volunteer repairers will always do their best to come up with a solution to save your item from the bin! If the item is not repairable, we ask you to take it away with you to recycle or dispose of accordingly.
do you have parking?
We don't have parking, but there is a public car park on the High Street. It is possible to pull up outisde the Vicarage School Room to drop large items off, however please be considerate of local residents and ensure that you do not block the drive of the house next door.
i can't wait until the next gillingham repair cafe, are there any other repair cafes nearby?
can you do clothing alterations?
We are always happy to repair clothes but are unable to undertake alterations and would suggest that you contact a local sewing specalist for this.