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John Lewis has announced a trial where customers can bring their garments, accessories and a selection of homeware back to life through an in-store repair service with Johnsons (part of Timpson Group).
From reviving wedding dresses to restoring the zip on a luxury clutch or adjusting a pair of curtains, the service will offer repair and alterations, laundry, dry cleaning and more.
The service will accept any brand allowing customers to drop off items to be fixed, altered, cleaned or restored, and come back to collect them.
John Lewis commercial director, Kathleen Mitchell, said: “Our customers come to us for fashion and homeware that’s well made and will last – and this just takes that mentality and service one step further. We want to help them extend the wear of their fashion items and have the option to bring those much-loved items back to life – whether they are hanging by a thread or just need a simple stitch or two.
“Teaming a new, crisp white linen shirt with a pair of much-loved denim shorts gives our customers the opportunity to extend the lifetime of their favourite wardrobe staples, for years to come.”
Prolonging the life of clothing is a key pillar of the circular economy, and with more consumers embracing the culture of mending and repair, recent research found that more than a third of UK adults plan to increase household repairs, rather than buying new.
The trial will launch in five John Lewis branches: Oxford, Liverpool, Cheadle, Milton Keynes and Welwyn.
Will Lankston, managing director, Timpson Direct, added: “We are really excited about working with John Lewis. Alterations have always been one of the core parts of our business and we have been seeing this increase over the past few years as more customers are conscious about the environment and are wanting to repair and bring back to life some of their well loved garments and accessories.
“Our service is well established within the industry and we have an excellent team of specialists who undertake all our work and take a real pride and passion in all that they do. We look forward to working with John Lewis on developing this service over the coming weeks and months.”
