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Bricks, Locks & Wedding Bells: The Handy Locksmith
We caught up with Andrew Speight, The Handy Locksmith, who took up locksmithing after a long career in bricklaying, he now looks forward to developing his business further and getting married in June.
» I’ VE BEEN INTERESTED IN locksmithing for a long time, ever since school. Before getting into the trade, I worked as a masonry bricklayer, but when my apprenticeship ended during the recession, I found myself moving around— I worked in Germany, Ireland, London, and even Australia. Eventually, I developed arthritis, which forced me to rethink my career.
I went on to complete a degree in construction management and took on site management roles, but I hated being stuck in an office. I missed the freedom of being out and about.
Locksmithing had always been in the back of my mind, so I finally decided to give it a go. I started with the MPL introductory course, then trained with Nick Foster( Dr Lock), which gave me the confidence to go out on my own. Since then, I’ ve done the 8-Ball course and had one to one training with Brian James.
Now, three and a half years into the trade, I love being my own boss. Every day is different, and I enjoy the problemsolving aspect— figuring out failed locks and gaining access with minimal damage.
My Business & Marketing
I’ m based in Scotter, North Lincolnshire, and typically travel up to an hour for jobs. My marketing approach is straightforward but can be costly at times. I maintain a presence on Instagram, post photos occasionally, and have a Google-friendly website. A customer I met ended up building my website and handling my SEO, he has been great for other locksmiths too( www. getasite. co. uk). I also use Facebook, though I don’ t do videos. My fiancée Sarah helps with social media, and I have a PPC agency that manages my Google Ad spend.
Business can be unpredictable— some weeks are mad busy, while others are quieter. I take work as it comes and keep myself flexible. I’ m part of the UK Locksmith Network on WhatsApp, set up by Nick Foster, where locksmiths can ask questions about obsolete products and recommend replacements. I also pass on work to fellow locksmiths, like Sam at Prime Locksmiths, when a job is too far for me to reach.
Memorable Jobs One of my most interesting days involved finding myself as the‘ piggy in the middle’ of a domestic situation, which ultimately led to me giving a police statement. On another job, a woman
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MARCH 2025
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