ReLondon Exploring a Repair Voucher Scheme for the City: Feasibility Workshop

On 15th September, ReLondon hosted an online feasibility workshop to explore the potential implementation of a Repair Voucher Scheme in London. The event brought together 40 participants, including industry experts, sustainability advocates, repair professionals, and local authority representatives. Among them was Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd and Chair of the Apparel Taskforce Manufacturing Forum (ATMF), who represented her organisation in this pivotal discussion.

London stands as one of the world’s most influential fashion capitals, but the industry comes at a cost. The fashion and textiles sector contributes between 2% and 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, ranking as the fifth-highest producer of these emissions worldwide.

ReLondon is working to change the narrative. Through initiatives like the London Textiles Action Plan, the organisation is pushing for a transition to a zero-waste, low-carbon circular economy, emphasising actions such as buying longer-lasting clothes, choosing low-impact fibres, and increasing the lifespan of garments through repair, resale, rental, and swapping.

A Repair Voucher Scheme could provide a practical and scalable method of supporting these efforts. Similar schemes are already proving successful in Austria, The Netherlands, France, and Germany, where government-supported models incentivise garment repair, helping reduce textile waste and extending the life of clothing.

The 15th September workshop was not just about theory—it was about practical implementation. Participants were asked to consider how such a scheme might be rolled out in London and what barriers or opportunities may lie ahead. The workshop aimed to gather feedback that will feed into a public-facing report scheduled for release in late 2025 / early 2026.

Jenny Holloway commented on the importance of the conversation: “Great to be involved in this much-needed discussion regarding repairs for the general public. There were 40 attendees from various backgrounds and each has valid experience and comments to add.”

A significant point of consensus emerged around who should fund such a scheme. There was a strong sentiment that brands and central government should bear the financial responsibility for garment repairs to help reduce the billions of pounds of clothing waste currently generated in London.

“As much as I really endorse the need for repairs, who’s going to pay for the scheme—or should the customer contribute too?” Holloway asked. “France is clearly leading the way with their implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which raises revenue to pay for repair vouchers. However, the UK seems to have EPR and Digital Product Passport (DPP) on the back burner—so basically, who is going to pay?”

The feedback collected during the workshop will be used to conduct an impact assessment and help sense-check feasibility findings. ReLondon has invited participants to:

• Continue summiting ideas until Friday 19th September.
• Share relevant data such as textile waste composition, professional repair outcomes, and carbon emission factors.
• Assist with reviewing findings and co-developing next steps.

The insights from this workshop will form the foundation of a report that aims to guide future decisions and possibly influence national repair policy.

As London strives to become a global leader in circular fashion, schemes like this could not only reduce waste but also stimulate local repair economies, support low-income communities, and drive a culture shift toward sustainability.

“I really believe that we need repairs throughout the UK to maintain the textiles already in circulation,” Holloway emphasised.

With models from Europe offering a clear proof of concept, the challenge now lies in adapting and funding a model that works for the UK.

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