Bedford Repair Cafe

09/09/2026

It's our next Repair Cafe soon!

Our clever repairers are gearing up to help fix your broken household items on the 3rd October at Parkside Hall, Ampthill. It's helpful if you register before you come at https://shareflitwickandampthill.org/repair-cafe/ or by using the QR code.

Hope to see you there! 😀

02/09/2026

Users of Barkers Lane tip need to register their car from 1 October. Remember you can recycle sooo much at the tip- electricals, batteries, clothes, paint, and more!

A quick heads-up if you use the Barkers Lane tip.

From Thursday 1 October, Bedford residents will need to register their vehicle before using the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Once you’re registered you can carry on using the tip during normal opening hours so there’s no need to book a slot.

A number of neighbouring councils have tightened up access to their tips, and Bedford has seen a significant increase in waste coming into Barkers Lane, including waste from outside the Borough and from businesses that shouldn’t be using the household service. I am sure you have all seen the queues.

Residents not able to register online will be able to contact Customer Services and they will help get you registered.

Hopefully this will mean no more inappropriate use of the site, less pressure on the waste budget and, shorter queues for Bedford’s residents. ♻️

https://www.bedford.gov.uk/news/2026/new-vehicle-registration-protect-barkers-lane-hwrc-bedford-borough-residents

28/08/2026

Ever wondered how our repair cafe works?
Here’s some updated info about us….

👫 Completely run by volunteers in our spare time.

💸 We offer one free repair per household at each event. Please only bring one item to be looked at, so we can help as many people as possible!

📍 Location is currently at Project 229, 227-229 Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8DA.

🗓 Events are every few months & published here on our social media & website.

💖 We are lucky to be so popular that you will have to queue for a repair. Please be prepared to wait, and be patient with our volunteers when the queue gets busy!

⏳ Last arrival is 2.30pm for us to close at 3pm. Please be considerate about bringing complex repairs late in the day.

🪡 We can fix clothes, bikes, costume jewellery, electrical items, small furniture.

⚡ Sadly we cannot repair microwaves or leaky kettles/ irons for our and your safety! We also cannot fix antique clocks or precious jewellery.

💷 Yes- our events are free. We accept cash donations to help run events or card donations via https://donate.stripe.com/fZecPa7xU632fvifYY

📸 Photo credit: Chiara Mac Call Photography

05/08/2026

Luton!

13/07/2026

We loved visiting to share some fixing tips and tricks with the group. The Guides learned bike maintenance, electrical safety and how to change a plug, and sewing skills!
Thank you to our jewellery guru volunteer Sarah for organising, and our volunteers for helping on this extra session!

Bedford Repair Cafe is having a break for the summer and will be back on 19 September!

06/07/2026

We are soooo pleased to announce we've been listed as finalists in the Make A Difference Awards (Environmental category)! 💚

03/07/2026

Check out the impact we made from our last repair session. Repair is possible!

01/07/2026

Love that there are sewing volunteers at Cafe Connect who will show you how to sew!! It’s TODAY, details below:

12:15pm–2:15pm at Queen’s Park Community Centre Weds 1st July.

☕ Free food and drinks
🎨 Fun craft activities
🤝 Friendship, support and advice
👨‍👩‍👧 children’s activities
🧵 Learn to sew, alter and mend clothes
🏥 NHS nurses will be attending to administer vaccinations and provide health advice and support

Everyone is welcome.

Whether you’re coming for a chat, to meet new people, access local services, or get healthcare advice, we’d love to see you there.

penultimate session before a break for the summer.

15/06/2026

Thanks for all the hard work from our volunteers at Repair Cafe on Saturday, and our amazing hosts at Project 229 for taking care of us! Our volunteers offer their time for free, to give back to the community and help the environment 💚

❗️There was quite the queue at 10am when we opened- please be aware that between 10 and 11am you WILL have to wait- possibly up to an hour for popular fixes (e.g. electrical items). Please also note we cannot sharpen tools :)

13/06/2026

Reminder!! Did David take your kettle home to be fixed? Please come along today to collect it!