John Lewis is now offering repair services across all of its locations in the UK following a successful trial in five stores.

Through the new service, customers will be able to drop off their items to be cleaned, repaired or altered at their local John Lewis shop.

Alongside dry cleaning and handbag restoration, the service also includes services to homeware items such as duvets, bedding, curtains and rug cleaning.

The retailer trialled the repair service over 16 weeks last year, with customers able to drop off their clothes for alterations and repairs at five John Lewis stores across England, including Oxford, Liverpool, Cheadle and Milton Keynes.

John Lewis said that during the trial, customers were quick to take advantage of the service, with minor rip and seam repairs being the most popular fix followed by trouser alterations.

During the trial phase, John Lewis stores aimed to complete most repairs within a week and accepted clothing from any brand, not just those stocked by the retailer.

The company added that it is seeing a trend of increasing interest in at-home repairs, with sales of haberdashery accessories up 36 per cent year on year and searches for John Lewis sewing machines up 50 per cent year on year.

John Lewis said the service will continue to be provided in partnership with Johnsons, a Timpson Group company.

“We’re still learning about which circular economy models work so it's great when a trial delivers positive results and shows us how we can make it effective at scale,” said Marija Rompani, director of ethics & sustainability at John Lewis Partnership. “Repair is a crucial part of the circular economy and mirrors our commitment to designing items with quality and longevity in mind, as part of our circular strategy.”

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