Harborough’s answer to TV show The Repair Shop is back up and running in the town

A steady flow of people turned up as Market Harborough Fixers set up shop on Saturday (May 22) for the first time this year as coronavirus pandemic restrictions start to ease
Steve Horton, Nico Cousens, Simon Day, Andrea Conti (all volunteers) supported the morning session.Steve Horton, Nico Cousens, Simon Day, Andrea Conti (all volunteers) supported the morning session.
Steve Horton, Nico Cousens, Simon Day, Andrea Conti (all volunteers) supported the morning session.

Market Harborough’s brilliant answer to hit BBC show The Repair Shop is back up and running in the town.

A steady flow of people turned up as Market Harborough Fixers set up shop on Saturday (May 22) for the first time this year as coronavirus pandemic restrictions start to ease.

The successful Community Interest Company venture staged the workshop to fix broken electrical and mechanical items at their repair cabin in the courtyard at the Eco Village on St Mary’s Road.

Steve Horton investigating a shredderSteve Horton investigating a shredder
Steve Horton investigating a shredder

Thrilled Roseanne Steedman, a co-director and organiser of the exciting eco-venture, said: “It went really well.

“It’s just so good to be back open again after we obviously had to close during all the Covid lockdowns over the last year.

“We’ve got off to a great start – and can’t wait to see so many more people throughout the year.”

She said her dedicated fellow director Steve Cousens has done a tremendous job preparing, refurbishing and fitting out their repair cabin over the last few weeks.

Sue Atwood brought her broken Grass Strimmer for the Fixers to look at.Sue Atwood brought her broken Grass Strimmer for the Fixers to look at.
Sue Atwood brought her broken Grass Strimmer for the Fixers to look at.

“We were determined to make it nice inside and totally Covid-safe and Steve has rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in.

“We are now looking at putting up some sort of cover outside as people were having to queue outside in the pouring rain on Saturday,” said Roseanne, of Great Oxendon, near Market Harborough.

“We are hoping that the weather will get better and the sun finally comes out with June just round the corner!

“People brought in a shredder, a grasscutter and garden lights among other things.

“You can also get in touch with us by messaging us on Facebook.

“We now have over 600 members in and around Market Harborough and we’re growing all the time.

“Repairing and recycling people’s items – whether it’s a clock, a lawnmower or a cherished family Teddy bear – is becoming increasingly popular and important.

“You can see that from the huge national success of the Repair Shop on the BBC,” said Roseanne.

“We are also delighted to be working away and helping out people at the Eco Village.

“We fit in there so well because we share a very similar ethos and outlook towards our environment as we strive to become more sustainable, greener and cleaner.”

She said they will now be holding a sewing and jewellery session this Saturday (May 29) over the Bank Holiday weekend.

“I’m really looking forward to this very special workshop.

“It’s always very popular and so many women from all over the area bring in their beautiful jewellery to be repaired,” said Roseanne.

“You can pop along to see our top team of fixers from 10am until 1pm on Saturday.

“We will be staging more events during those hours every Saturday throughout the summer.

“As well as jewellery and sewing we’ll also be looking at textiles and electrical and mechanical goods.

“Over the three or four years we have been operating in Market Harborough we have saved dozens of items from going straight to the tip and landfill sites.

“We have stopped so much more carbon dioxide being pumped into the environment – which is clearly positive for every single one of us.

“The more we can do for every individual as well as the planet as a whole the better.”

If you would like to find out more about Market Harborough Fixers you can check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183586488547144/

Related topics: