Cranleigh Repair Café

I received a message this week from the Cranleigh Repair Café, and it really made me stop for a moment.

Not because it was dramatic or over the top, but because it was simple, honest, and quietly impressive.

They meet at The Band Room, Cranleigh, on the first Saturday of each month, from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

It’s entirely run by volunteers.

People giving up their time, their skills, and their patience to help others fix things that might otherwise be thrown away.

They can repair far more than you would expect.

Clothing and household textiles, soft toys and teddy bears, leather items, electricals, clocks, bikes, ceramics, furniture, electronics and mechanical items.

It’s quite something when you think about it.

Most of these are things we would usually replace without much thought.

All repairs are free unless a part is needed.

There is no pressure to pay.

Donations are welcomed, but they are completely voluntary.

That alone feels quite rare now.

While people wait, there is tea, coffee and biscuits.

It sounds like a small detail, but it changes the whole feel of it.

You’re not rushing in and out.

You’re sitting, waiting, chatting… letting something be repaired rather than discarded.

They also collect items for recycling, which adds another layer to what they do.

It’s not just about fixing what can be saved, but also making sure as little as possible goes to waste.

They started in July 2024 with just 10 repairs in their first month.

Now they are seeing around 100 repairs each month.

That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident.

It shows that people need it, trust it, and are starting to value this way of doing things again.

They are usually fully booked, so it’s always best to book ahead.

You can email:

cranleighrepaircafe@gmail.com

They do try to fit in walk-ins where they can, but there are no guarantees.

What stood out to me most is that this isn’t just a service.

It’s a mindset.

Repair instead of replace.

Take care of what you already own.

Give things a second life where possible.

It’s a really valuable addition to the village, and one that I think will only continue to grow.

Definitely worth knowing about, and even more worth supporting.

The Tea Rose