StreetShine is a social business that gives vulnerable people the opportunity to earn a living and learn new skills through shoe shining.
A subsidiary company of Thames Reach, all employees of StreetShine, or ‘shiners’, have experienced homelessness, suffered disadvantage in the job market and are in the process of rebuilding their lives.
The business operates in office buildings, with shiners going from desk to desk to shine shoes, as well as providing pick up/drop off shoe repairs and accessories.
Shiners receive comprehensive training in the art of shoe care and customer service, and begin by working part-time. As they gain self-esteem and work skills, they can progress to full-time employment, with access to more training and development and a regular income.
StreetShine provides support to employees to develop within the company or to move into other employment opportunities.
Finally, there are franchise opportunities for those who wish to strike out on their own, giving them the satisfaction of running their own business.
StreetShine started in the offices of KPMG in 2004 and currently works with nearly 40 other businesses across the City, including Bloomberg, Linklaters, Deutsche Bank, Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy.
The company has permanent stands at the lobby of Coutts Bank and the Thistle Hotel at Victoria. We plan to expand into other sites and into other major cities across the UK. It has also recently trialled a new car cleaning business and plans to expand that across the city.
StreetShine is a joint venture between Thames Reach, entrepreneur Nick Grant, who originally conceived the idea, and the funder, A Glimmer of Hope. All profits are reinvested into the company to provide training and support for more shiners. See the StreetShine website for more information.
