Hi there, it’s us, Ally & Gem. We’re the passionate founders behind We Are Repairs, your UK repair directory that connects customers and small businesses in the repair community.
We spent years in corporate roles – Ally in creative, Gem in sport – but craved work that sparked our values and nurtured the planet. That spark turned into action when we launched repair businesses in upholstery repair and wooden furniture repair, saving items from landfill and bringing joy to our customers.
Ally’s small eco-business, Restoration Hut, was born out of a life-long passion for high-quality, handcrafted design which is kind to the planet. For the last six years, she’s worked hard to show her customers the power of transforming old and unloved wooden furniture into premium pieces to be truly treasured.
Gem’s business, Embrace Bespoke Upholstery & Design, focuses on creating upholstered furniture that truly reflects her customers’ stories. Whether that is lovingly restoring and reupholstering a family heirloom or creating a bespoke piece to fit in with their homes. Each piece is given the TLC & hands-on craftsmanship it deserves to make it last into the next generation.


We’ve loved building up our businesses, getting to know our customers and working on some incredible items of furniture (more on that in future blogs!)…But here’s what no one tells you…
Running a small repair business on your own? It’s hard.
No team. No one to help with the endless admin, the promotion of yourself and your business… the list is endless.
That’s why we’ve created We Are Repairs – not just to help small businesses shout about what they do, but to build something bigger. A thriving community of Repairers, working together to grow their businesses, support each other, and fuel a movement that puts repair before replace.


What’s in it for you?
- If you’ve got broken homeware gathering dust, you can now find a skilled repairer in just a few clicks.
- If you’re a repair business: a Premium or Featured profile gives you personalised marketing, all for less than a couple of coffees a week. Find out more here.
Together, we’re building a movement that puts repair before replace, connecting repairers with customers and growing a sustainable repair revolution.
Explore our site and repair categories to see how we help.
Ally & Gem 🛠️✨
Article suggestions for you
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- Step inside the workshop where vintage dreams are rebuilt. From classic car restoration to luxury reupholstery, Steaming Leather brings passion, precision, and leathercraft to every stitch. This one’s for true petrolheads.
- Ever felt baffled by all the talk around Circular Economy and what it actually is? By repairing your broken homeware you are contributing to a healthier, happier planet. Read on to find out how.