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A Hartlepool dad’s second job which gives new life to shoes is attracting international attention.

The Shoe Restoration Company launched last summer and has already had as many as 100 pairs of shoes to repair in a month.

The business was founded by Hartlepool man Hayden McLeod after a pair of his own shoes were damaged.

"I wanted to do something about it. It was the first time I had them and they were a mess,” explained Hayden of the Balenciaga shoes.

Hayden thought himself how to restore shoes after a pair of his own shoes was damaged.

"A lot of people do pay a lot of money for shoes these days. It’s a shame that something like that might happen to someone and they might have to bin them or get brand new ones.”

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Hayden, who is also office manager at Hartlepool transportation company MKE Chauffeurs, taught himself how to repair the shoes.

The 28-year-old has been sharing before and after pictures of the designer trainers he has restored on the company’s Instagram page, which has amassed over 2,000 followers.

Hayden has been sharing the results on social media./Photo: The Shoe Restoration Company

"I learned a lot by trial and error on my own shoes at the beginning,” said Hayden.

"It took a long time. Every pair of shoe you get has a different style, different material, even though you do learn leathers and suedes.

“Some shoes you get a mixture of materials and you have to contemplate what you’re doing.

"It’s not straight forward, like just cleaning them and cracking on.”

Hayden has restored designer shoes as well./Photo: The Shoe Restoration Company

The dad-of-one has also shared some tips on how to look after your shoes and preserve them for longer.

“I think just caring for them when they are brand new instead of trying to catch up later. Looking after your shoes on from new,” said Hayden.

"I do suggest before you even wear your new shoes, put a repellent spray on.”

Hayden has had clients’ enquiries from as far a London and overseas and hopes the business will continue to grow.

"I’m hoping to progress it into something bigger and better, maybe to have a shop,” he said.

Thanking partner Sophie Young, 27, and his mum Leanne McLeod, 50, who have helped him with the business, he added: "It wouldn’t be possible to do it without my partner and my mum.”

To find out more, visit The Shoe Restoration Company’s Facebook page.

Hartlepool dad’s shoe restoration business attracts attention from overseas – less than a year since launching