Notice Board
BECOMING GWENT’ S MOST-REVIEWED LOCKSMITH:
City Locksmiths
After 30 years in printing newspapers, Nick Durn swapped ink for locksmithing and is now one of South Wales’ most respected, award-winning locksmiths, known for his savvy marketing, relentless energy, and unmatched local reputation.
» HE’ S THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND City Locksmiths Gwent Ltd, a one-man powerhouse known for professionalism, personality, and an obsessive commitment to doing the job right. Recently crowned one of Three Best Rated’ s top locksmiths in Newport and Industry Oversight’ s No. 1 locksmith in the city, Nick’ s rise from redundancy to regional recognition is highly commendable – achieved through grit, graft, and pure persistence.
Printing Went Out of Style
I started out in printing when I was 18, actually printing national newspapers such as the Daily Mail and News of the World. I worked for the same firm for 30 years, the Daily Mail & Trust, which also printed the Bristol Evening Post.
Then, in 2009, they shut the doors. Over a hundred of us out of work overnight. The printed news industry was dying because people simply weren’ t buying papers; technology had taken over and that was it. I still meet up with some of the old crew now and then. Funny thing is, I’ m the only one who ended up in a trade( locksmithing) and stuck with it, a lot have gone from trade to trade.
I Bought a Franchise- then Went Independent
After losing my printing job, I needed a change. I didn’ t fancy sitting around waiting for something to happen, so I invested in a LockRite franchise in Exeter. I stayed with them for three years. It gave me a solid start, especially the training- two weeks of one-on-one hands-on learning, which was part of the franchise cost.
But I soon realised I wanted more flexibility. The franchise tied me to a specific area, and I felt boxed in. I wanted to go where the work was. In 2012, I set
up as an independent, self-employed, local locksmith, totally in control of my future and that’ s when City Locksmiths Gwent Ltd began.
I Work Solo, but I’ m Never Alone I mostly work on my own, but I’ ve built a good network of local locksmiths. When I’ m snowed under, I’ ll pass jobs to a couple of lads I trust instead of letting the nationals take them. We help each other out.
If I go on holiday, I’ ll even divert my phone to one of them. That way, customers still get a quick response, and the work stays local. It’ s how it should be- small businesses supporting each other instead of losing everything to big call centres.
I’ m not interested in building an empire. I’ d rather keep it personal, reliable, and professional. That’ s why I’ m one of the most active locksmiths in the area and proud of it.
I’ m Addicted to Advertising, but Only If It Works!
I’ ve tried every kind of advertising you can think of over the years: Google SEO, directories, Facebook, Checkatrade,
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NOVEMBER 2025
locksmithjournal. co. uk Issue Takeover