Notice Board
FROM FINANCE TO FRONT DOORS: FAIRFAX LOCKSMITHS
» WE CAUGHT UP WITH STEVE FAIRFAX of Fairfax Locksmiths, whose career has taken him from financial advisor to frontline locksmith. Now trusted across Upminster, Hornchurch and beyond, Steve says he’ s found his true calling, feeling like‘ Superman’ each time he saves the day by opening a door.
Investment Portfolios to Locksmithing
I never set out to be a locksmith. In my early twenties, I moved to London from Cornwall, not really knowing what I wanted. I bounced around, worked in bars and nightclubs, and eventually found myself in financial advising. But I hated it. Too much pressure, the wrong crowd of people, and I knew deep down it wasn’ t for me.
My cousin got me a job at Banham, the famous lock manufacturer and locksmith company in West London. To their clientele, the rich, the elite, and the famous, even having a Banham van parked outside was a status symbol. I started selling locks and soon moved into the practical side, cutting keys and working on the trade side. That was what got me hooked! I realised I enjoyed using my hands more than selling.
Banham had branches all over London, Maidenhead, Kensington, Chelsea, and I learned the ins and outs of their systems. I knew Banham inside out but also gained a good grounding in other lock brands.
Going It Alone I wanted to be out on the road as a locksmith, not just behind a counter, but Banham couldn’ t give me that opportunity. So, I moved to another locksmithing company. Honestly, I didn’ t learn much there. At one point, they asked me to drill a door open. I felt terrible doing it, because I’ d been trained to think more carefully. Soon after, the company folded.
By then, I knew I loved locksmithing, so in 2013 I went self-employed. That was a whole different ball game. It’ s not just about opening doors; it’ s about running a business. You can be the best locksmith in the world, but if the phone doesn’ t ring, you won’ t last long.
At first, it was tough. I subcontracted for a big West London company called Marios’ s run Eugene. He was great to me, gave me plenty of work, and I learned a lot. Over time, my own customer base grew, and I could step away from subcontracting and stand on my own two feet. It took four or five years before I started to see a real profit. But now? I wouldn’ t want to do anything else.
The Power of the MLA About four years ago, I joined the Master Locksmiths Association( MLA), and I’ m now a qualified Master Locksmith. That step really transformed things for me. It gave me credibility, it brought in more work, and, just as importantly, it connected me with a network of locksmiths.
We’ re all like-minded people who help each other out. If I’ ve got a tricky job, I know someone in the MLA will give me advice. If I’ m snowed under, there’ s always another locksmith to cover me. Being part of that association has improved both my revenue and my skills.
Life on the Job
When I worked in West London, it was often big buildings and wooden doors for wealthy clients, with posh locks. Now I live in Essex, the work is different, lots of UPVC doors, lockouts, lock changes, and security upgrades. I don’ t open safes, but I install them, along with grills and gates. I still give advice on alarms and CCTV when asked, since I had experience with them at Banham.
14
OCTOBER 2025
locksmithjournal. co. uk Issue Takeover