Chester Repair Cafe went to Parliament last week to call for stronger repair and reuse policies.

The local community group joined repair groups from across the UK at a repair café in Westminster, urging policymakers to make it easier to fix everyday items. The event was organised by The Restart Project and Back Market, with support from organisations including SUEZ and Green Alliance.

This year the event was bigger than ever before, with 91 MPs in attendance and 100 repair groups represented from all four UK nations.

"We were thrilled to return to Parliament for our third consecutive year alongside our partner, The Restart Project, championing repair and reuse," said Katy Medlock of Back Market.

"Extending a device's lifespan from 2.5 to 10 years can reduce carbon emissions by up to 68%, which is why we're calling for greater support of the Repair and Reuse Declaration to help accelerate progress toward a stronger, more sustainable future for repair."

Organisers and allies called for ambitious repair and reuse policies and celebrated the 143 MPs that have signed up to the Repair and Reuse Declaration, with 31 signing up at the event itself. 

With the Circular Economy Growth Plan due to be published this spring, the repair community is urging policymakers to strengthen support for repair and reuse, reflecting strong public backing and the environmental and economic benefits they offer.

Chester Repair Cafe met local MP Justin Madders at the event, who signed the UK Repair and Reuse Declaration becoming one of almost 150 MPs to support the Declaration. 

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"We're helping the Chester community to get support with repair when they need it," said Kerry and Hannah, organisers of Chester Repair Cafe.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to get things repaired, yet they seem to break more easily with our increased dependence on plastic partly to blame.

"We want people to have the option to save money by repairing their belongings rather than having to buy new."

Chester Repair Cafe will hold its next repair event on Saturday 18 April at Hoole Community Centre, from 10.30 till 12.30. Visitors are encouraged to bring small electricals, textiles, bikes and computers.

Chester Repair Cafe has been running since October 2024 and is held once per month. So far Chester Repair Cafe have helped avoid over 6 tonnes of CO2 and 530kg waste.

"We are always on the lookout for more volunteers and, after a successful pilot, are supporting St. Thomas' Church in the Garden Quarter to open a new Repair Cafe in the city," the organisers added.

"We'd love to see more young people get involved and hope the proximity to the main University campus will make volunteering more accessible."