Learn Leather Repair From People Who Actually Do the Work
The Leather Academy was built around a simple idea: professional leather repair is best learned from real commercial experience. Our training is led by Melissa Edwards, who still repairs and restores customer furniture alongside teaching.
The processes taught here are the same processes used on paid customer work.
We’re Not Just a Training Company
Leather repair is a practical trade. Knowing the theory is useful; knowing what to do when a real customer’s sofa is in front of you is what gives you confidence.
The Leather Academy grew directly out of commercial cleaning and leather restoration work. That experience shapes what we teach: how to assess a job, choose the right process, prepare correctly, carry out the repair, achieve a professional finish and recognise when a job should — or should not — be taken on.
Practical, not theory-heavy
You work hands-on with leather, real furniture and realistic damage from the beginning.
Commercial judgement matters
Learn assessment, customer expectations, job selection and the standard required on paid work.
A process you can repeat
The aim is not one impressive demonstration. It is a workflow you can take home and use again.
Melissa Edwards
Melissa’s experience spans leather upholstery, professional cleaning, repair and advanced restoration — but just as importantly, she understands the business of delivering those services in customers’ homes.
In 2010, Melissa founded a carpet, upholstery and leather cleaning business. She learned first-hand how to assess work, price it, manage customer expectations and build repeatable standards that produce professional results.
After selling that business, she focused more deeply on specialist leather restoration, carrying out colour correction, damage repairs, restoration and finishing for customers. The Leather Academy was created to turn that commercial experience into practical training that other people could genuinely use.
Melissa still works in the trade today. That matters: the techniques, products and advice you receive are informed by the same problems that appear on real jobs — not just controlled training-room examples.
Built From Doing the Work, Not Just Teaching It
The Academy brings together technical skill, commercial experience and years of working directly with customers.
Building service businesses
Melissa founded and grew a carpet, upholstery and leather cleaning business, learning the commercial side of delivering specialist services in customers’ homes.
Specialising in leather
After selling that business, Melissa developed a dedicated leather restoration service covering repair, colour work and professional finishing.
Passing the skills on
The Academy turns those years of practical and business experience into clear training for beginners and existing service professionals.
Learning the Repair Is Only Part of the Job
Professional confidence comes from understanding the decisions around the repair as well as the repair itself.
Know what you’re looking at
Learn how leather type, condition, previous work and damage affect the process you choose.
Know what you can promise
Understand job selection, realistic outcomes and how to explain those expectations to a customer.
Work to a professional standard
Build a repeatable preparation, repair, colour and finishing process that stands up on paid work.
Graduates consistently highlight Melissa’s knowledge, patient teaching, hands-on approach and the confidence gained from experiencing real customer jobs.5.0 on Google · Reviews from Leather Academy trainees
Read our trainee reviews →
You Don’t Stop Being a Trainee When You Leave
The first time you meet an unfamiliar repair on your own is often when support matters most. That’s why ongoing technical help is part of the Academy proposition.
When you begin taking your own work, you can come back for help with repairs, leather identification, colour matching, products, quoting and difficult customer jobs.
Hands-On From the Beginning
Practical training, real materials and — on our 2 and 3-day courses — the opportunity to experience genuine booked customer work alongside Melissa.
Choose the Amount of Real-World Experience You Want
There are no levels to work through. All three courses are suitable for beginners. Choose the 1-day workshop, or add one or two days of real customer-job experience.
Want to Know Whether Leather Repair Training Is Right for You?
Have an honest conversation with Melissa about your experience, what you want to achieve and which course would suit you best.
Unit 7, Crosby Yard Industrial Estate, Bridgend, CF31 1JZ