Repair Café – Repair, Reuse and Rethink Fashion Together

An illustrated image of a coffee cup filled with a hammer, roll of thread, needle and pair of scissors. The text repair cafe is in large letters on the right hand side.

Repair Café is a new initiative at Centrala, offering an opportunity to repair clothes for free and to learn how to repair clothes and other items. The café offers access to sewing machines and other tools, and our friendly staff will support and teach people how to use them safely. Repair Café is based in Centrala’s welcoming community and digital hub, so you’re invited to enjoy the space as well as the sessions. Relax with a free tea or coffee, make use of our free Wi-Fi, catch up on work or study, meet others, or simply spend some time here while working on your repairs. Drop in for as little or as long as you like.

From 2 September 2026 Repair Café will offer:

Weekly Repair Drop-ins
Bring along your clothing or small textile items and learn practical repair techniques, including sewing, mending, alterations and visible repairs. Our sewing machines, equipment and tools are available to use, with guidance and support throughout each session. Our café will also offer tea, coffee and biscuits, as well as an opportunity to meet others and chat 

Monthly Upcycling Workshops
Explore creative ways to transform worn or damaged textiles and other everyday items into something new. Led by artists and makers, these workshops will introduce a range of upcycling techniques while encouraging sustainable and creative thinking. Details of each workshop, including themes and how to take part, will be announced throughout the year..

Every year, thousands of perfectly wearable garments are thrown away because of small tears, missing buttons or broken zips. At a time when many households are feeling the pressure of rising living costs, repairing what we already own is not only good for the environment, it’s a practical way to make clothes last longer and reduce unnecessary spending. At Repair Café, we believe that everyone can learn to repair! Rather than fixing clothes for you, we’ll support you to develop the confidence and skills to do it yourself. Whether you’re completely new to sewing or already have some experience, you’ll be able to learn at your own pace with guidance from our friendly team.

Launch Event – Digbeth First Friday

We’ll officially launch Repair Café during Digbeth First Friday on Friday 4 September 2026, as part of Second Hand September.

Join us for a Clothes Swap, where you can exchange unwanted clothing for something new-to-you, discover practical tips on textile repair, recycling and upcycling, watch short screenings, meet the team, and find out how to get involved in the project throughout the year.

Through Repair Café we aim to:

  • Reduce clothing and textile waste in our local community.
  • Help people save money by extending the life of everyday clothing.
  • Teach practical repair and upcycling skills that build confidence and independence.
  • Encourage more sustainable approaches to fashion and consumption.
  • Bring people together through creativity, learning and shared experiences.
  • Build a community of people who continue sharing repair skills long after the project has ended.

Repair Café is run by Sara Fowles, an experienced seamstress, knitter and textile practitioner with more than 20 years of professional experience. Sara is passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping people discover the satisfaction of repairing, reusing and reimagining textiles.

Repair Café is a year-long project funded by the npower Business Solutions Foundation.

You can find out more about the npower Business Solutions Foundation on their website.