A new community repair initiative is launching in Oxford on Saturday, offering free assistance with fixing bicycles, electrical devices, computers and clothing at St Barnabas CE Primary School in Jericho between 10:00 and 12:00 BST.
The Jericho Repair Shop represents an expansion of repair services across the city. Organiser John Mair said the venture aims to discourage disposal of broken items and build community engagement around sustainability.
"If it doesn't work, repair it, don't throw it away and certainly don't throw it on the pavement,"Mair explained.
Mair drew inspiration from an existing repair service in Wolvercote, which he had used previously.
"I went to the repair shop in Wolvercote maybe a year or two ago and they repaired my garden blower - I thought this is a good idea,"he said.
"I've brought over the man who repairs bicycles in Wolvercote, people who repair sewing, people who do computers, who sharpen knives."
The initiative fits within a broader landscape of community repair provision in Oxfordshire. SHARE Oxford currently operates a monthly repair café at Makespace, located just north of Jericho, alongside sessions in Cowley and Blackbird Leys. Oxfordshire County Council describes repair cafés as part of a county-wide Community Action Groups network, helping residents repair small electricals, bikes and clothing and sharpen tools.
How will the repair shop operate?
Entry is free, though Mair is requesting donations to cover rental costs and advertising for future events.
"It costs you nothing, but we'll expect a donation,"he said. Mair anticipates attendance ranging from 10 to 100 people at the inaugural session and hopes to establish a monthly schedule if demand justifies it.
"If enough people turn up, it'll be the first Saturday of November, and if enough people turn up, first Saturday of December,"he noted.
SHARE Oxford emphasises that its repairers are volunteers and the events are community spaces for learning, not professional repair services. This model aligns with the Jericho Repair Shop's approach, positioning it as a neighbourhood hub rather than a commercial enterprise.
Why is repair important to the community?
Mair has been active in organising public events in Jericho, including Lazy Saturday and Lazy Sunday in Mount Place. He views the repair shop as part of a broader vision for community infrastructure.
"All communities need hubs and this might as well be one, so why not?"he said. The initiative addresses growing concerns about waste and sustainability, with repair services offering an alternative to discarding broken items.
Ben Tuppen, co-ordinator of SHARE Oxford, has previously emphasised that society needs to adopt more innovative approaches to sustainability. The Jericho Repair Shop represents one such response, bringing repair expertise directly into a residential neighbourhood.
What happens next?
The first Jericho Repair Shop takes place on Saturday at St Barnabas CE Primary School. SHARE Oxford's Makespace Repair Café is scheduled for the third Sunday of each month, usually 2–5pm, with current dates and booking details available on its repair page. Mair will assess attendance and community interest to determine whether the Jericho event continues monthly from November onwards.
Key Facts
- The Jericho Repair Shop launches on Saturday between 10:00 and 12:00 BST at St Barnabas CE Primary School
- Services include bicycle repair, electrical device and computer repair, clothing mending, and knife sharpening
- Entry is free with requested donations supporting future events
- Organisers plan monthly sessions from November if attendance is sufficient
- The initiative complements existing repair cafés run by SHARE Oxford across Oxford neighbourhoods
