Primark stitches sustainability into the high street with in-store repairs trial

Primark is making it easier and cheaper for shoppers to give their favourite clothes a second life. From 26 September, the retailer is piloting a same-day clothing repairs service in partnership with The Seam at its Manchester Market Street store.

Running until 19 December, the pop-up will allow customers to get simple alterations and repairs - think split seams, missing buttons, or a quick hem - complete in as little as 20 minutes. Appointments can be booked online via Eventbrite, though walk-ins are also welcome. Prices start at just £3 thanks to Primark subsidising the cost.

It’s a practical move that taps into a very real consumer pain point. According to WRAP, 42% of people admitted to throwing away clothes they would have liked to keep simply because they couldn’t get them repaired, while 24% said the cost of repairs is the main barrier.

"We want to make simple clothing repairs and alterations easier to access and more affordable for our customers," said Vicki Swain, Product Longevity Lead at Primark. "We know there’s growing demand for it and we’re excited to see the response in Manchester."

The Seam, founded by Layla Sargent, has built a reputation for connecting people with skilled local makers, making repair and tailoring feel less like a luxury and more like an everyday option.

Sargent said: "By subsidising repairs, Primark is making it possible for everyday shoppers to access what has too often been seen as a luxury."

For Primark, the partnership adds weight to its Love It For Longer strategy, which already includes repair workshops and online tutorials. It also signals a shift on the high street. Where resale and rental have dominated the conversation around sustainable fashion, repair is beginning to get its moment.