Dominic Chinea, star of BBC’s The Repair Shop, has revealed the devastating impact of recent storms on his Cornwall workshop, leaving him “terrified” and heartbroken. A fierce weather onslaught caused a significant portion of his workshop roof to collapse, crushing the priceless Cadillac he had been meticulously restoring.
After returning from the Isle of Wight where he collected a rare vintage engineering component, Dominic confronted the destruction firsthand. In a candid YouTube video, he explained, “There has been a storm back in Cornwall again. I’m terrified of the state of the workshop roof.” Despite the poor conditions, he planned to continue working inside, delaying roof repairs until better weather arrived.
“A lot of rainwater streamed in through the open roller shutter door,” Dominic noted. “All my equipment is soaked, but I kind of expected that. What really breaks my heart is losing yet another chunk of the roof.”
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Earlier, Storm Goretti had already damaged the rear section of the workshop, soaking his Porsche and equipment. Soon after, Storm Chandra struck, inflicting even more destruction with ferocious winds and heavy rainfall. Large sections of corrugated plastic roofing collapsed onto his prized Cadillac, damaging its bonnet and wing.
Dominic and his wife Maria made the major move from Kent to Cornwall last year, with the aim of turning their property into a dream home and workshop. However, the recent storms have highlighted the challenges of making the workshop weatherproof, a task Dominic admits is under intense “pressure.”
The January 2026 tempest tested their resolve as Dominic juggled emergency repairs with refurbishing the farmhouse kitchen. “The storm caused a lot of damage — roof tiles blown off, equipment affected. I’ve ordered new roofing sheets and lined up roofers, but I’m also trying to finish the kitchen at the same time,” he shared.
He acknowledged the widespread impact of the storms across Cornwall, from damaged buildings to fallen trees. “Every tree surgeon here is overwhelmed. It’s heartbreaking — we don’t have enough trees to begin with.”
Reflecting on the life change the move brought, Dominic said, “It’s been completely life-changing. I’m never moving again. It was stressful, but having this workshop at home has been a dream for so long. I’m very grateful but it’s not easy.”
The conversion project remains ongoing. “I’m still shovelling out cow manure where my tools are. It’s been a long road and will continue to be, but this decision to move is something I don’t regret.”
Dominic considers his role on The Repair Shop a “dream job.” “I was building props behind the scenes in Hackney Wick and never imagined I’d be on camera. This opportunity has been incredible — it shows what can happen when you give your best. We’re like a big family on set, and I’m extremely fortunate to be part of it.”