This National Teddy Bear Day (9th September) John Lewis announced a brand-new service to help bring well-loved teddies and soft toys back to life – just in time for Christmas.
From 24th September, customers will be able to bring in their cherished companions – no matter how threadbare or loved to bits – into any John Lewis shop and over 200 Waitrose shops for a deep clean, a “teddy tidy” and any minor repairs. Services will start from £10, with options including everything from restuffing and resewing to replacing a missing eye.
The new offering is in collaboration with Johnsons, a Timpson Group company, and comes with expert training from BBC’s The Repair Shop stars Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch — also known as the Teddy Bear Ladies. The pair hosted specialist workshops to train Johnsons’ team on the art of toy restoration, from carefully opening seams, replacing stuffing to repairing delicate noses and stitching hidden seams.
The teddy repair service is the latest addition to John Lewis and Waitrose’s successful repair programme, which has already completed over 2,300 repairs this year.
Katie Papakonstantinou, Director of Services & Hospitality at John Lewis, said: “We’re really pleased to be launching our new teddy bear repair and refresh service. We know how much these cuddly companions mean to our customers, so we’re delighted to give them a new lease of life. Whether it is a missing eye to a much-needed wash, our expert ‘teddy surgeons’ are ready to work their magic. After all, a bear isn’t just for Christmas!
Gary O’Malley, Operations Manager at Johnsons, said, “Building on the success of our Repair & Alteration service at John Lewis and Waitrose this year, we’re excited to expand into something new that we hope will bring joy and create lasting memories. Working with the Teddy Bear Ladies means we can offer truly expert care – breathing new life into cherished companions for generations to come.”
Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, The Teddy Bear Ladies, said: “We’re thrilled to support the launch of John Lewis’s teddy repair service. This is about so much more than stitching and stuffing — it’s about giving soft toys a second chance, teaching children about caring for what they love, and keeping memories alive. It’s wonderful to make these repairs accessible for everyone.”
For more news like this, click here.
