A NEW repair cafe has been opened in Basingstoke to help people make use of their damaged items.

The repair cafe has been opened in Chineham by Basingstoke residents Shane Bennett and Jonnie Jenkin.

The cafe is based at the Christ Church on Reading Road and the pair have already organised a successful first event.

During the event, the two were able to repair 11 items and keep them out of landfills.

During the day three winter coats, a handbag, three children's toys, garden toys and a family heirloom clock were fixed.

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Following the success of the first event a second date has already been planned, which will take place next month on Saturday, February 18, from 11 to 1pm.

Talking about the event Shane said: "I would really encourage anyone who has anything that they are thinking of getting rid of because it is broken to come down and we will try and fix it."

Shane told the Gazette that the repair cafe was set up with the idea to give a second use to items that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

He said that he thinks the idea is especially important due to the cost of living crises because it saved someone from having to through something away and buy a new one."

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The group has set up a Facebook page but also wants to reach out to older residents who might not have access to social media to come along to the next event.

A repair café is a community initiative that brings together people with skills to repair and those who want items repaired. People are invited to bring their broken or damaged items for repair, and volunteers attempt to fix them.

As previously reported the nearby North Hampshire Repair Cafe has saved thousands of pounds worth of items from going to landfill. 

The volunteer-led project runs out of Sherfield Village Hall on the last Saturday of the month.

Shane is hoping the Chineham cafe will be just as successful.