Plans for a permanent Cambridge Repair Cafe

Cambridge could become one of just a few cities in the country to have a permanent base for a Repair Cafe and swap-shop as part of a hub to help people reduce waste.

While it is still early days for the scheme, a pop-up event happening next month will test support for the idea while also giving people the chance to take advantage of some of the green-based services that could be on offer all year round.

The Cambridge Remakery pop-up event on the weekend of October 12-13 will include lots of free services, including a Repair Cafe, carbon footprint advice, workshops, sustainable living stalls, and a clothes swapping event for women.

It will also be a chance to show support for a hub where these services – and more – would be permanently available.

Nicole Barton, volunteer and events organiser at Cambridge
Carbon Footprint, said the hub could take on the same format as the
Brixton Remakery, co-founded by Sophie Unwin in 2012 as a not-for-profit community that breathes new life and creativity into things destined for landfill.

“The Brixton Remakery has gone for a £60 to a £200,000 turnover while also helping to reskill people, train them and help them into work,” Nicole said.

“Another Remakery has opened in Edinburgh.

“We may go down that route or we may look at a different sort of hub, but we think there is a need for a one-stop shop in Cambridge where people can get support and advice.”

The pop-up event will be at the new community space, Escape@TheGrafton, opposite Trespass in the shopping centre.

The Saturday workshop will look at bike maintenance, furniture repair and upholstery while on the Sunday the focus is on jewellery repair and visible mending.

Find out more about the event at circularcambridge.org/events/the-cambridge-remakery. More details about the Brixton Remakery can be found at remakery.org.