John Lewis is diving deeper into sustainability, following up last month’s launch of a new circular design collection with a trial of repair services.

It has this week launched a test in five John Lewis stores  — Oxford, Liverpool, Cheadle, Milton Keynes and Welwyn. The aim is “to prolong the life of customers’ favourite items”. The new service includes mending, restoring, dry cleaning and more in partnership with Timpson Group. That’s a diversified company best known for its shoe and watch repair and dry cleaning services.

Under the new trial, customers can bring their garments, accessories and a selection of homewares back to life through an in-store repair service. 

The company said: “From reviving your wedding dress, 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.” It will accept any brand.

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.”

Timpson Group’s dry cleaning/laundry specialist subsidiary Johnsons is handling the repairs with Timpson MD Will Lankston highlighting that “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.” 

John Lewis highlighted how extending a garment’s life by just nine months can reduce its carbon, waste and water footprints by up to 30%. And it also cited research that showed nearly half of its own customers see a lifespan guarantee to repair or replace any item as the most appealing added service.

As mentioned, it comes less than a month after John Lewis unveiled its new circular designed collection across home and fashion. The 20-piece collection “has been designed to be longer-lasting, and tested to the highest durability standards”.

Products in the range “have an increased amount of recycled content and are even better quality, ensuring customers are buying products which are excellent value for money and designed for longevity. The design also factors in how clothing items can be more easily recycled when customers are finished with them”.

It covers nightwear, babywear, men’s cashmere, mattresses and filled bedding duvets and pillows.