A Repair Cafe has been started at Glossop Labour Club, and the first event was a great success.

There is a global movement to create Repair Cafes in towns and cities where people can bring personal items that are broken or otherwise unusable, using expertise provided for free by volunteer repairers.

There are existing Repair Cafes in New Mills and Buxton, but previously, nothing similar in Glossop.

The “Repair Cafe@Glossop Labour Club” aims to generate environmental benefits reducing waste and the need for unnecessary replacement purchases and providing a counter to throwaway culture; and social benefits fostering experience and understanding of mutuality, providing a low cost repair service and improved confidence in performing simple repair tasks.

The first event was held on Saturday (12 March), and the organisers were delighted with how it went.

Ray Collins, one of the organisers and repairers, said: "We really didn’t know what to expect, and whether anyone would turn up, but on the stroke of 11am, when we opened, we had our first repair through the door, and there was a constant stream throughout the event up until we finished at 1pm. This shows there is a real demand for community activity in Glossopdale, and there was a real buzz throughout the club." 

Amongst the many visitors enjoying cake and refreshments, some visiting Glossop Labour Club for the first time, 12 people brought items for repair.

There were seven volunteer repairers specialising in woodwork, bicycles and electrical items in attendance and between them managed to complete repairs on five items - including a solar power control unit, a vintage wooden tray and a bicycle, with other items partially repaired or advice given.

The Repair Cafe@Glossop Labour Club will meet on the second Saturday of every month (from 11am to 1pm), the next event being 9 April.

If you are interested in getting involved or finding out more, contact @RepairGlossop via Facebook or call into Glossop Labour Club on Chapel Street. 

Derek Clarke, Chair of Glossop Labour Club Management Committee, commented: "We are really pleased at the success of this community venture which is actively supported by Glossop Labour Club. It fits perfectly with our wider aims to foster community solidarity and progressive causes." 

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