The Repair Shop on the Road: Season 1, Episode 11

1 - 11: North West - The Biggest Clock Steve Has Ever Worked On

In this episode, the experts lend their skills to a community project, hear the story behind a new treasure to be repaired, and visit a local crafting hero.

Since 2020, Manchester Town Hall has been undergoing the biggest heritage renovation project in the UK, at a cost of 325 million pounds. Now, Repair Shop horologist Steve Fletcher has been invited to lend a hand getting its huge clock back up and running. So how will he fare on this super-sized fix?

Will is in nearby Oldham to pick up a vintage fruit machine that's close to John's heart. Inherited by him after a tragic accident, the mechanism is jammed, the paint scuffed, and he's never seen the lights working. Decades of experience mean game machine expert 'Pinball' Geoff is the perfect man for the job, but it will be a painstaking process getting it to pay out once more.

Then it's from the 1970s to the 17th century, as Will gets a crash course in traditional globe-making from man of many talents Jonathan Wright. Blending cartography, carpentry and several other heritage skills, he both restores antique examples and creates brand new globes on commission, making him the perfect teacher to show Will what goes into this delicate work.