How it works
If you’re thinking about bringing an item to one of our sessions, below are some of the most frequently asked questions that will help you know what to expect.
What happens when I arrive?
Come to our reception desk and you will be given a form to fill in so you can tell us about your items and what sort of repair is needed. Our receptionists will allocate your repair to a category e.g. electrical, general, textile or mechanical, and you will be called when it’s your turn. Meanwhile you can relax with tea/coffee and biscuits.
Please note all items MUST BE CLEAN otherwise our volunteers can refuse to look at them – this especially applies to vacuum cleaners, garden equipment, kitchen equipment and clothing. We do NOT repair microwaves or any item powered by gas, petrol or diesel for health and safety reasons.
If you have more than one item to be repaired, you will need to fill in a separate form for the second one when your first repair has been carried out.
You can download the registration form (PDF) here and bring it with you. Be sure to read our Terms & Conditions (PDF) here.
How much does it cost to have my item repaired?
Our volunteers give their time and skills for free to support the community and save items from landfill. All repairs are free but we welcome donations to keep the service going. If your item needs any new parts, you will have to pay for them. Refreshments are also provided free of charge.
What do I do when my item is being repaired?
We ask you to sit down with the repairer and explain what needs repairing, including details about how the problem developed. You’ll get to watch your repair being done and perhaps learn a new skill in the process. Sometimes, you will be invited, and even needed, to help with the repair e.g. holding things in place when they have been glued. This means that we don’t accept repairs that are dropped off and collected later.
What should I do when my repair is finished?
Please bring your completed repair form to our reception desk. If the item couldn’t be repaired you will need to take it away with you. We don’t dispose of unwanted items, except for small electrical items which can be disposed of in our WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) bins.
What happens if my repair can’t be finished during the session?
Some things can’t be repaired. Your repairer will let you know if this is the case. They will also tell you if you need spare parts so you can bring your repair back to another session, and help you order them.
What happens if my item needs new parts?
Your repairer will explain what new parts are needed to fix your item. You can source these yourself and return to our next session with the item and new parts; or the repairer may offer to source the parts for you. In some cases your item may need extensive work that can not be completed at the repair session. In this case, the repairer may offer to take your item home to work on, but this will be a private arrangement between yourself and the repairer. New parts must be paid for by you before the work is undertaken.
Is there parking close by?
There is a pay and display car park next door to the venue. It is free for 1 hour and a small charge for over 1 hour. We recommend that a ticket is purchased for the full session, as you may have to wait in a queue for your item to be looked at.
Are there facilities for disabled and wheelchair users?
The front door entrance is level and wide enough for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. However, due to the age of the building the unisex toilets are up one step from the room where the repair session takes place.
Please note the only things we won’t repair are microwaves and items powered by gas, petrol or diesel – for health and safety reasons.
Facts and figures
You can see how many items we have repaired since January 2024 by finding Chorley Repair Cafe on the Repair Monitor website. We log all the items brought to our repair sessions on this website, so you can see what the most common products, brands and appliances are, plus our success rate compared to other Repair Cafes around the world.
Contact
Tel: 07860 339596
info@chorleyrepaircafe.org
Location
The Hollinshead Centre
(United Reformed Church),
Hollinshead Street,
Chorley, PR7 1EP