The ground handlers for BMI at LHR T1 (ServisAir, or maybe BMI themselves) have a store of bags similar to this- a few years ago I arrived off a BHD-LHR service to find my bag looked like it had been tied to the back of the plane and trailed along both runways.

A brand new bag was offered, but I took the alternative of a cheque as the new bag wasn't anything comparable to the one that had been damaged.

Quick fixes are sometimes a good idea - especially if time is tight and connecting flights are waiting...