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.
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Emily Sergeant -
4th July 2024 
