From the Editor
‘ Instant’ fame
The world of locksmithing is always changing. One of our jobs here at The Locksmith Journal is to try and keep up with everything that’ s happening in our sector – across the UK, and beyond. But, this magazine isn’ t just about us talking to you, and you telling you what’ s going on. It’ s about you talking to us— and to each other. In fact, that’ s the most important bit. And the most fun!
» YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED MORE OF‘ YOU’ IN THE magazine in the past year or so. It’ s something we’ ve worked really hard on. What makes this magazine unique is the voices of real locksmiths who are shaping the industry. From the seasoned professionals to the up-and-coming talents, Wendy’ s interviews give you an inside look at the diverse experiences that make up the heart of this trade.
One of the ways we find locksmiths to interview is through Instagram – our profile @ thelocksmithjournal. We use social media to talk to locksmiths all over the world and we want you to join in too.
Instagram has become a key platform for locksmiths to connect, share tips, and build a community. We love seeing your posts, hearing your feedback, and learning from your experiences. Whether you’ re sharing a recent job, showing off your latest tool purchase, or just connecting with others in the trade, Instagram allows us all to learn, grow, and celebrate the locksmithing community together.
It’ s also become a vital tool in how we reach out to our readers and how they bring up issues with us. Instagram has become our gateway into meeting independent locksmiths that we can interview; find out about how they got into the industry, and why – what they did before and how they go about their everyday roles.
This month, a locksmith got in touch about an issue that he wanted to discuss with us and our readers; you. This is something we want to do more of – so look out for his article in April … In the meantime, March magazine offers plenty of news and features from our industry’ s past, present and future, people and products, technical advice and industry news.
See you next time,( in fact we may really see you next time, in the magazine, if you get in touch for your own interview)…
See you next time, Gemma
PREVIOUS WORKING LIVES & BIG AMBITIONS
Hello Spring … Oh no, did I say it too early? But the daffs are out! This month, it was again interesting to find out what our interviewees did before they became locksmiths: so, we’ ve got an ex-police officer, ex-bricklayer and an anti-social behaviour officer. There’ re always transferable skills that enable people in other professions and trades to make a successful transition into locksmithing. I also interviewed a family business that originally started in their lounge and is now huge!
» AFTER 13 YEARS IN THE POLICE FORCE, CORINNE Vella, The Female Locksmith, leveraged her law enforcement experience in security, problem-solving, community service and dealing with vulnerable individuals to transition into locksmithing serving Southeast London. From bricks, to locks, to wedding bells! I spoke to Andrew Speight, The Handy Locksmith in Lincolnshire, who took up locksmithing after a long career in bricklaying, he now looks forward to developing his business further but firstly he’ s getting married in June!
We caught up with Kaj Darby of Lock Doc in Medway, Kent, who has built a strong reputation for excellent customer service and goes all out in marketing his business. Read about Kaj’ s top digital marketing tips and the efforts he goes to with marketing this business both online and offline: check out his colourful van, it even has a helicopter on the roof – find out why …
A family business now ran by brothers who employ many others! From humble beginnings starting out at home, it now operates from a 5,500 sq. ft. premises on Canvey Island, Essex. Owners Lee and Nicky Crossman, have big plans for DES Locksmiths to: shape the future of controlled access in high rise resi-buildings with their Golden Key Secure initiative.
Well, I guess that’ s it from me, I hope you enjoy reading March and the awful weather is far behind us now! Would you like to appear in a future edition? Get in touch with me to arrange an interview on wendy @ cvgroup. co. uk. It’ s totally free … And, join us on LinkedIn in The Locksmith Community UK.
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MARCH 2025
locksmithjournal. co. uk