AN independent business owner has said “being kind does not cost anything” after gifting a pair of new trainers to a homeless man.

Gareth Tansey, 41, is the mastermind behind shoe repair shop DGLS Limited, which has been positioned in High Street, Colchester, for the past year.

The family-run outlet specialises in fixing scuffed and damaged trainers, handbags and boots, and also offers recolouring and shoe shining services.

Earlier this week, on one of the hottest days of the year, Mr Tansey and his mum, Linda, noticed a man walk past the shop in heavy boots.

They soon realised it was a homeless man named Kevin, who is a familiar and friendly face among shoppers in Colchester’s town centre.

Given the number of trainers dotted throughout his store, Mr Tansey decided to give Kevin a glistening white pair of Adidas Gazelles, which retail at £70 but had been donated to the shop.

He has since posted about the interaction on his social media pages, receiving hundreds of positive and uplifting responses.

“He was outside the shop and my mum instantly recognised Kevin and we had heard so much about him, so we went and spoke to him,” added the business owner.

“My mum and I couldn't see him walking in big heavy boots on the hottest day of the year so far and we have seen from the community of Colchester how amazing he is.

"He is such a lovely man, so nice and polite and hearing some of his history of sadly being homeless, we decided to gift Kevin a new pair of trainers.

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“He was very humble and appreciated the gesture and we glad the post got so many engagements and so much positive feedback, not towards us, but for Kevin.”

Mr Tansey, a single father-of-one, has now called on more people to do what they can to help those less fortunate when the opportunities present themselves.

He said: “If we all did one good deed a day, the world would be a better place and it does not hurt to be nice.

“I don't judge, for us, being kind is rewarding and we do not expect anything in return - I would love people to know being kind doesn't cost anything.

"If anyone has any trainers that are no longer needed, drop them off to the shop from June - we will happily restore and donate them."