Silsden Repair Café – fix it, don’t bin it
Why does repair matter?
When something breaks, the easy choice is to replace it. The better choice is to repair it. You save money, keep items out of landfill, and you get to learn how to fix things yourself—which is more satisfying than you’d think.
Silsden Repair Café is where that happens. We’re part of Repair Café International, a global network started in Amsterdam in 2010. What began as a local idea has spread to over 40 countries—because people everywhere want their things fixed, and they want to know how.
Who fixes your items?
We’re run entirely by volunteers—skilled people who love repairing things:
- Electricians and mechanics for appliances and tools
- Sewists for clothes and textiles
- Bike and jewellery repairers (nothing too valuable, please)
- Furniture restorers for chairs, tables and wooden pieces
- Sharpening experts for kitchen knives, secateurs and garden shears
- “Miscellaneous” volunteers who tackle whatever comes through the door
We successfully repair over 90% of items brought in. And while we work, we share what we know—so you go home not just with a fixed item, but with skills you can use next time.
How it works
No booking, no fuss. Just turn up with your item between 9:30am and 12pm on the third Saturday of every month at Silsden Methodist Church.
We’ll check you in, and you’ll wait in the café area until a repairer is free. Then you’ll sit with them while they work—because this isn’t a drop-off service. You’re there to watch, ask questions and learn.
Cost? There isn’t one. We ask for a donation of whatever you can afford. Some people give £1. Some give £5. Whatever you think it’s worth.
A few practical things to know:
- One item per queue. If you bring more than one thing, after your first repair you’ll rejoin the queue. Keeps things fair for everyone.
- Arrive early. Last repairs start at 11:45am, so aim to be there by 11am.
- What we don’t do: Clothes alterations (like hemming trousers) or computer and mobile phone repairs. Local businesses can help with those.
Ready to bring something? Find the next Repair Café date in our events calendar and see you on the third Saturday.
