‘There’s a real joy in fixing something’: the rise of the repair cafe

Peter Gardiner: ‘It has helped me get through a dark time when I needed a distraction.’ Photograph: Guardian Community

Communities across the UK have seen the rise of repair cafes in recent years, as people strive to make-do-and-mend in the face of rising living costs and a push towards sustainability.

Repair shops in community centres, churches, cafes, pubs and libraries have become places for people to come and fix furniture, gadgets, clothing and more – often free of charge.