Brad Vernon, a Wirral man who grew up in New Brighton and now lives in Egremont, has turned his passion for trainers into a full-time business. His company, The Trab Lab, cleans and restores between 50 and 70 pairs of footwear every week, with clients including professional footballers and MMA stars.
The 35-year-old dad-of-one learned to look after expensive trainers during childhood, when his family had limited money. He said: “My family didn’t have lots of money when I was growing up, so I was taught from an early age to look after the things I owned. When it came to one of my biggest passions, trainers, I took that lesson particularly seriously.”
From side hustle to full-time venture
Brad’s skill at reviving tired trainers first caught the attention of family and friends, who asked him to clean their footwear. In 2022, he launched The Trab Lab as a side hustle and set up an Instagram page to showcase his work. Demand grew quickly, and he eventually left his job as a postman to focus on the business full time, investing in specialist cleaning equipment.
Today, The Trab Lab offers services for trainers, Ugg boots, shoes and hats. Brad said: “It’s amazing how much the demand has grown. The most popular trainers I clean are 110s and designer Diors'. Some people spend thousands on footwear and can easily get caught out by bad weather, have an accident or simply wear their trainers until they’re looking tired and dirty. Cleaning them isn’t a nice job, but I take it to the next level with specialist equipment. I return them looking and feeling brand new, and I also offer a full restoration service if needed.”
High-profile clients and community support
Brad’s reputation has attracted high-profile customers, including Liverpool FC's Lewis Koumas and MMA's Joe Ryan. The work has saved customers hundreds or even thousands of pounds by restoring expensive footwear instead of replacing it.
Brad said: “At first it was just to earn some extra cash, but it’s become a full-on business. Recently, with it being festival season, I cleaned more than 70 pairs in one week. People love the fact that they can wear their best trainers, shoes or boots to events knowing I’m here afterwards to get them looking like new again. It’s mad to think how it’s grown and that Liverpool players and MMA stars are now my clients.”
Through The Trab Lab, Brad has also supported the local community. Last Christmas, he worked with customers to back Charlotte’s Brightside’s Christmas gift appeal, raising more than £700 for presents for children and teenagers. This year, he plans to support the initiative again, helping provide Christmas gifts for young people who may otherwise be less fortunate.
