Notice Board follow. Always carry plenty of stock on your van too. Nothing worse than having to tell a customer you can’ t finish because you don’ t have the right part.
From Van to Shopfront I started out with just the van and worked that way for about 18 months. Then the opportunity came up to buy a competitor’ s small shop when he was retiring. It was a big commitment at the time, but I went for it.
About six years ago, we moved again, just six doors up the same street but into a bigger premises with parking. That move was a headache, because we still needed a removal company, but it was worth it.
Now we’ ve got a proper retail base. We don’ t just do locksmith callouts; we cut keys, sell locks, safes, gun cabinets, and cash boxes. A lot of work comes through the shop itself. Two people work for me, one in the shop full time and two of us out on the vans. It’ s a good balance.
Training: Just Enough to Get Started
When I first trained, I signed up with an old locksmith franchise who are long gone now. They gave me two and a half days of training. I quickly realised they weren’ t going to be much help long-term. I wasn’ t the best franchisee because I ignored their central phone numbers and figured out my own way.
Still, I got what I needed: a van, tools, and some basic stock. From there, I was able to teach myself the rest. Sometimes, the best training is just doing the jobs and learning as you go!
Trusted by the Community Over the years, we’ ve built up a really strong client base. We look after Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council, West Mercia Constabulary, Pershore Abbey, and even Broadway Tower. On top of that, we work with hospitals, schools, homeowners, and businesses right across Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
People know they can call us any day of the week including bank holidays and we’ ll be there. In the shop we carry a wide range of products, from locks and safes to specialist stock. With the knowledge we’ ve built up over the years, we can always match customers with the right solutions.
Looking Ahead: Vintage Cars and Retirement
At 68, I’ m starting to think about retirement. I’ ve had a brilliant career, but I’ d like to spend more time on another passion of mine, restoring vintage cars. I’ ve got two Triumph Spitfires on-the-go at the moment. I’ ll keep one and sell the other when they’ re both finished.
I am now looking to sell the business. I want to pass Amber Locks on to someone
who’ ll keep the same values: answer the phone, show up, and be nice to customers. If they do that, the business will keep thriving long after I’ ve hung up my tools.
Customer First, Always
I take answering the phone very seriously. In fact, when I was being interviewed by The Locksmith Journal, when a customer rang, I politely put them on hold while I answered their call and that probably says it all. I’ ll always prioritise a customer call, because they come first, always.
It’ s a simple, no-nonsense approach, but it’ s been the key to Amber Locks’ success. If you look after people properly, the work keeps on flowing!
www. amberlocks. co. uk 01386 761652 amberlocks01 @ yahoo. co. uk Amber Locks, 43 Bridge Street, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4SG
SEPTEMBER 2025
11
Issue Takeover locksmithjournal. co. uk