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Do the guests pay for the repairs on The Repair Shop?

A woman presenting an antique chair on The Repair Shop
Do you have to pay for your heirlooms to be fixed up at The Repair Shop? (Picture: BBC)

Many of us have taken to wrapping ourselves up in the comforting glow of BBC’s The Repair Shop, both since its debut back in 2017 and throughout lockdown.

Last series left viewers in tears after the team perfectly restored a treasured leather box belonging to a woman’s late husband – and this series promises more heartwarming tear-jerkers.

But who pays for these amazing repairs?

Here is the answer to that question, as well as some more insight into how your favourite restoration program operates.

Do the guests pay for the repairs on The Repair Shop?

The short answer is: no.

Calling The Repair Shop an actual shop is something of a misnomer – all the artifacts that are chosen are done so through an application process conducted by the producers of the show.

an antique wooden box
A great many of us have had our hearts melted by the stories behind some of the items featured in The Repair Shop (Picture: BBC)

Rob Butterfield, head of factual programming at Ricochet – the production company behind The Repair Shop – told RadioTimes.com that no customer featured on the show actually has to pay anything.

‘We don’t charge for repairs. If people wish to make a donation to charity we’re very happy with that, but it’s by no means necessary.’

How can I get on The Repair Shop?

The Repair Shop – which is shot at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in Singleton, West Sussex – is open to applicants who have a desire to see their antiques given a new lease of life.

You can apply to feature on the show via Ricochet’s website, where you will find a casting form to fill out details about both yourself and the item you would like repaired.

The team at Ricochet ask that you provide as much detail as possible to make your application stand out from the crowd.

Who knows, maybe your treasured item will be the next magical restoration that will reduce the nation to tears.

The new series of The Repair Show starts tonight at 8pm on BBC One.

MORE: The Repair Shop: Parents desperate to restore late daughter’s poignant toy after she died of cancer aged seven

MORE: The Repair Shop’s Will Kirk reveals he was forced to cancel wedding due to coronavirus as he’s branded show ‘heartthrob’

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