Repair cafés in Elmbridge: fix, learn and reduce waste

At the end of March, representatives from more than 100 Repair Cafés across the UK visited Parliament to speak with MPs about the importance of repair and reuse. They called for stronger action to make repairs easier and more affordable, helping products last longer and reducing environmental impact, particularly as the government develops its Circular Economy Strategy. 

Elmbridge is home to two repair cafés, based in Oxshott and Walton‑on‑Thames, offering free help to residents. 

Why repair cafés matter 

Each year, large numbers of household items are thrown away, often with very little wrong with them. Much of this waste can’t be recycled and may end up in landfill. 

Repair cafés offer a practical alternative. By repairing items and keeping them in use, they help reduce demand for new materials, lower energy use and cut carbon emissions. They also help people regain confidence to repair their own belongings, with skilled volunteers providing repairs or guidance. 

Free help is available from repair café teams in Oxshott and Walton‑on‑Thames. 

Oxshott Net Zero – Repair Café 

A friendly, community‑run café offering household repairs and opportunities to learn basic repair skills. 

When: 10am to 12.30pm, every third Saturday of the month (excluding August and December) 
Where: St Andrew’s Church Hall, Oakshade Road, Leatherhead, KT22 0LE 

Bring an item that needs repairing and arrive in good time before closing. 

Find out more about Oxshott Net Zero Repair Café. Volunteers with repair skills are always welcome.  
Oxshott Net Zero also runs other local projects, including a swap shop, Take The Jump and Plastic Free Oxshott. 

Walton‑on‑Thames Repair Café 

Held on the second Saturday of each month. 

Time: 10am–1pm 
Location: Walton Centre for the Community, Manor Road, KT12 2PB 

Volunteers repair a wide range of portable household items, including electrical goods, tools, bikes, toys, furniture, ceramics and luggage. Clothing repairs such as broken zips, buttons and hems are also offered. 

Visitors are matched with a volunteer who will attempt a repair or provide advice if fixing isn’t possible. 

The Walton-on-Thames Repair Café session operates by appointment; to book an item, email repaircafewot@gmail.com, use the online form at Contact Us — Repair Café Walton-on-Thames or call 07933 619818. Photos can also be uploaded via the repair café website. 

Find out more about Walton Repair Café. 

A free service for the community 

Repairs are free, though donations are welcome to help cover running costs. Refreshments are often available. 

Find out more about refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle 

The repair cafés are an international movement that contributes to building more sustainable communities.  

Visit  Sustainable Elmbridge pages to see how we help put the ‘5 Rs’ into practice locally.