First 'repair cafe' to open for community in Retford this month

Although they only moved to the market town a year ago, the couple have found like-minded people, secured premises at The Well, Hospital Road, Retford, and will open the shop for the first time on October 31.

GP Andy, who travels to Hull to work twice a week, said: “We moved to Retford from Pocklington to be nearer our daughter in Nottingham, and for the train station which is handy for us to go and see our son in London.

"There was a repair shop in Pocklington that was well used and that we found very useful, so when we noticed Retford didn’t have one we thought why not start one ourselves?”

Former counsellor Kate is very keen on crafts and recycling, he said, so they advertised for interest and got a strong response, with around 30 volunteers coming forward to lend their expertise in all kinds of skills.

"There are people ranging from civil and electric engineers to software experts and jewellery makers,” he added.”A local gym enquired about a leather wall ball with stitching that has come undone, and we have someone who can deal with that.

"If we can’t fix something ourselves then we will signpost on to local businesses who can.

“People can donate what they want to within their means for the service. We hope to be able to access grant help but are still waiting for a response.”

Their premises in an updated outbuilding by The Well includes a kitchen for drinks and snacks, and initially the cafe will open for two hours, from 11am to 1pm on October 31.

"We expect a range of repair jobs from electrical equipment to textiles, clothes alterations and jewellery,” said Andy. “The Repair Cafe International has a very helpful website for cafes such as ours, so there’s that back-up too.

"If anyone has a household item that they are unable to use they should come down and see us on the 31st. It’s a very welcoming cafe.”