A host of repair workshops are being held across the borough in celebration of London Repair Week
A host of events are being held across the borough in celebration of London Repair Week (3rd – 9th March).
Two walking tours for residents on Saturday 8th March provide whistlestop visits to repair specialists across the borough, giving residents behind-the-scenes access to Waltham Forest’s restoration experts. These experts include upholstery studios to zero waste composting, bamboo bicycle frames and the council’s urban rewilding project Wildways.
Residents can also benefit from the weekly Dr Bike service, stationed at Ridgeway Park on Saturday 8th March. From 10am to 4pm, cycling mechanics will carry out bike repairs covering everything from brakes and gears to lights, racks and more – all for free. Local organisation Forest Fixers also host regular Repair Cafes, where you can bring small gadgets to be repaired, and Repair Clubs teaching residents repair skills.
The council is also taking part in a ‘Repair Voucher’ scheme, launching in April, giving residents 50% off the cost of electrical repairs. Everyday items from toasters to TVs and laptops to lamps can be fixed at half the price, up to a maximum of £50 off per repair. This project, active until September, is funded by the North London Waste Authority and is being delivered in partnership with The Restart Project, ReLondon and fix1.today, powered by FixFirst.
On Saturday 10th May at Langthorne Park, Leytonstone, the first Reuse and Repair Fair of the year will feature free electronics and bike repairs, a give and take event, as well as opportunities for hands-on repair workshops – and the chance to discover local organisations supporting repair work. Further events will be announced later in the year.
Waltham Forest Council deputy leader Clyde Loakes said: “When something breaks, it can feel like the easiest thing is to just to replace it. We want to show residents how quick and affordable local repair can be.
That’s why this Repair Week we’re highlighting the full range of repair initiatives in easy reach for residents. But ‘repair’ isn’t just about this week – we’re also announcing the first 2025 date for our hugely popular Reuse and Repair Fairs and giving you a heads up on a brand-new initiative, Repair Vouchers, coming your way in April.
“To hit our targets of being a zero-waste borough by 2030, we need to change how we think about waste. That means everything from deciding to spruce up old clothes, to learning basic DIY repair skills and knowing where to go for expert repairs.”
Walking tours can be booked here, and book a Forest Fixers workshop here
To find more information on the above initiatives, visit the council website
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