M&S has launched a pioneering new clothing repair service across the UK in a bid to give garments “another life”.
After some new research carried out by the retailer found that only 10% of the population would consider themselves to be confident enough to repair clothing on their own, and 60% of consumers are also looking for retailers to offer more services that help them in to lower their carbon footprint, M&S has decided that now is a good time to kick-start a new sustainable initiative.
The company has partnered with clothing repair and alterations experts, SOJO, to launch the new ‘M&S fixed by SOJO’ hub.
Set to launch online nationwide in August, the new clothing repair service will support shoppers in giving their M&S clothes “another life”, all while reduce textile waste at the same time.
M&S is launching a pioneering new clothing repair service across the UK / Credit: Fujiphilm (via Unsplash) | Wallace Chuck (via Pexels)
Through a dedicated online hub, M&S customers will be able to select and book a range of bespoke repair services, with everything from zip replacements to invisible knitwear mending on offer, all through one simple form.
Repairs are expected to start from just £5, according to M&S.
And when it comes to timelines and turnarounds, M&S says that clothing can be sent, repaired by SOJOs in-house repair team, and then returned directly to the customer’s doorstep within seven to 10 days.
The partnership with SOJO will form a crucial part of M&S’s ‘Plan A – Another Life’ scheme – which also includes the retailer’s long-running clothes donation partnership with Oxfam, formerly known as ‘Shwopping’, and the Beauty Takeback Scheme with Handle.
M&S wants the ‘Plan A’ scheme, as a whole, to provide a more “seamless experience” for customers who are looking for ways to support a “shift” to a more “circular economy”.
As well as a range of services, the ‘Plan A – Another Life’ platform will also be home to a selection of 60-second ‘how to’ videos created by M&S’ team of in-house technical experts, covering everything from debobbling knitwear, to adjusting hemlines.
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
Clementine Hall
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
Emily Sergeant -
4th July 2024 
