Dragons’ Den TrackerWhat Happened to The Spit 'n' Polish Shoeshine Company After Dragons’ Den?
The Spit 'n' Polish Shoeshine Company appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2009, Series 7 Episode 6. The business was a multimedia advertising shoe shining service booths. They secured investment from James Caan on the show. The business is still active today.
The Pitch
Ronan McCarthy walked into the Den in 2009 with a multimedia advertising shoe shining service booths. They were asking for £108,000 in exchange for 40% of the business.
The pitch landed well enough in the Den that at least one Dragon decided to back it.
The Deal
A deal was struck on the show. James Caan offered £108,000 for 40%, and Ronan McCarthy accepted.
It’s worth noting that Dragons’ Den deals agreed on camera often go through further negotiation off-screen. Some complete as shown; others are renegotiated or never finalise at all. The company’s subsequent trading history is the clearest indicator of what actually happened.
What Happened After the Show
The Spit 'n' Polish Shoeshine Company is one of those Den stories that actually lasted. Having appeared on the show in 2009, the business has now been trading for over two decades — an outcome that puts it ahead of the vast majority of startup ventures, let alone television pitches.
Is The Spit 'n' Polish Shoeshine Company Still Available?
Yes. Home Reach Developments Ltd appears to still be trading. Companies House records confirm the business is currently active.
Related Companies
If you’re curious about other businesses from the same episode, you might also want to look at Tech21, David Schofield, Mi Garden, Tin Bone Ltd. Each has its own story of what happened after the Den.
Watch the Pitch
Companies House Data
- Status
- active
- Company Number
- 04694797
- Registered Name
- HOME REACH DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
- Incorporated
- 2003-03-12
- Company Type
- ltd
- SIC Codes
- 68100
- Registered Address
- 591 London Road, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey, SM3 9AG
- Accounts
- micro-entity (period ending 2025-03-31)
- Latest Financials
- Total Assets Less Liabilities
- £597723
- Employees
- 1
- Period
- 2024-04-01 to 2025-03-31
- Officers
-
MC CARTHY, Ronan James
— director
4a, Inglethorpe Street, London, SW6 6NT, England
-
JORDAN, Julian Charles
— secretary (resigned 2004-12-08)
255 New Road, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3HE
-
MCCARTHY, Kerry
— secretary (resigned 2018-09-10)
3 Parliament Mews, Thames Bank, London, SW14 7QP
-
NORRIS, Jodie Maree
— secretary (resigned 2007-07-26)
56 Bowater Close, Brixton, London, SW2 5PS
-
JORDAN, Julian Charles
— director (resigned 2004-12-08)
255 New Road, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3HE
-
JORDAN, Justin Cormac
— director (resigned 2007-07-26)
255 New Road, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3HE
-
MC CARTHY, Ronan James
— director