John Lewis has launched a brand new service across its UK stores and more than 200 Waitrose shops just in time for Christmas.
The new service allows shoppers to bring in their cherished teddy bears and soft toys to be repaired and brought back to life. The new offering is in collaboration with Johnsons, a Timpson Group company, and comes with expert training from the 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 Johnson’s team on the art of toy restoration, from carefully opening seams and replacing stuffing, to repairing delicate noses and stitching hidden seams.
The teddy bear and soft toy repair service is available in all John Lewis stores, except Swindon and Canary Wharf, along with more than 200 Waitrose shops.
Shoppers can bring in their beloved bears, no matter how threadbare, into any John Lewis or Waitrose store for a deep clean, a “teddy tidy” and any minor repairs, and bring their soft toys back to life in time for Christmas.
Services start at £20 for a small toy clean, up to £55 for a large toy clean and repair, with options including everything from restuffing and resewing, to replacing a missing eye.
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!”
The teddy repair service is the latest addition to John Lewis and Waitrose’s successful repair programme, which has already completed more than 2,300 repairs this year.
The price list for a teddy bear clean and repair in John Lewis and Waitrose stores is as follows:
Clean only
- Small (up to 12 inches) £20
- Medium ( 12-24 Inches) £30
- Large (24-36 inches) £40
Clean and repair
- Small (up to 12 inches) £35
- Medium ( 12-24 Inches) £45
- Large (24-36 inches) £55
Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, The Teddy Bear Ladies, added: “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.”