26 Feb Repair Week 2nd – 8th March 2026: Make Fixing the Norm

The UK is spending an estimated £15 billion each year replacing items that could have been repaired, according to new research commissioned by ReLondon ahead of Repair Week 2026.

The findings reveal that two in three (64%) people admit to spending around £277 per year replacing repairable items. Even more strikingly, 335 million repairable items, the equivalent of six items per person, are thrown away annually. Textiles and electricals top the list of the most commonly discarded products.

Now in its sixth year, Repair Week (2nd – 8th March 2026) has grown from just 20 London-based events in 2020 to a nationwide movement spanning London, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, County Durham, Belfast and Cardiff. Hundreds of events will take place across the UK, offering hands-on workshops in bike maintenance, sewing skills, phone repairs, upholstery and furniture mending with sessions suitable for complete beginners through to advanced participants.

Encouragingly, the research also shows that repair culture is experiencing a revival. On average, people in the UK repaired 14 items each in the past year. Clothing and textile repairs are among the most popular:

• 413 million clothing and textile repairs carried out — from sewing on buttons to mending seams
• 66 million plugs changed
• 42 million broken headphone ports fixed

However, for those who don’t repair, the biggest barrier is lack of skills. Nearly half (47%) learnt repair skills from parents, while 31% turn to online tutorials, TikTok or YouTube. Importantly, 52% of respondents said attending a repair workshop is a great way to learn new skills and meet others — reinforcing the value of community-led initiatives.

Katie Moriyama, Campaign Manager for Repair Week, explains: “We want to make fixing the norm, which is why we run Repair Week every year, making it easier for people to learn skills and access affordable, professional repair. From hands-on workshops with repair experts to online hacks, Repair Week is all about giving you the confidence to fix, mend, and make things last.“

FC Designer Collective Joins Repair Week

We are proud to be part of Repair Week once again with our Free Repair & Upcycling Drop-In Session at the FC Designer Collective shop on Fonthill Road. Supported by Islington Council, our bi-monthly drop-in sessions provide informal, hands-on support from expert technicians in a fully equipped shop environment.

Whether you want to repair, alter or creatively upcycle unworn garments, our team will be on hand to guide you. Participants are encouraged to bring their own items (and pins if needed) and can drop in at any time throughout the day but please register your attendance as spaces are limited.

By helping people gain confidence in mending and altering their clothes, we aim to reduce landfill waste, extend garment lifespans and champion circular fashion at a local level.

With the cost of living rising and environmental concerns growing, repairing is no longer just thrifty; it’s essential. If you have garments sitting unworn in your wardrobe, now is the perfect time to give them a second life. Join us on Tuesday 3rd March and be part of a movement that’s stitching sustainability back into everyday life.

Location: FC Designer Collective, 113–115 Fonthill Road, London, N4 3HH (Close to Finsbury Park tube) Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2026 from 10am – 4pm.

Tap here to reserve your place.