From the Editor
The 12 Months of The Locksmith Journal
» 2025 HAS BEEN ONE BIG YEAR for Clearview Group – home of The Locksmith Journal. We’ ve attended two major industry events – the MLA and FIT Show, expanded our magazine portfolio from three to four, and while we may not have“ five gold rings,” it’ s certainly been a year full of bright milestones and exciting developments. As we close out this final issue of 2025, we want to take a moment to thank all of our readers, partners, and customers for being part of this incredible journey.
This year has been a whirlwind of activity and collaboration. We’ ve had the privilege of visiting some of the most cutting-edge projects in the hardware and security industry, from innovative repair tools to the latest in smart security. From auto locksmith training to fire safes – and everything in between. We’ ve reported major global acquisitions and Wendy has interviewed more than 60 independent locksmiths – for our‘ real life’ features; from all over the world.
Each article has given us new insights, helping us tell the stories that matter most to you, our readers, and connect the dots across all sectors of our dynamic industry.
A key highlight of 2025 was the expansion of our magazine portfolio. We started the year with Clearview, Pro Installer, and The Locksmith Journal, and in May, we welcomed Door Industry Journal into the family.
This new addition has allowed us to broaden our coverage, providing even more comprehensive insight into the commercial and fire safety. Whether it’ s focusing on new product launches, industry trends, or expert analysis, we’ ve worked hard to bring you content that is both informative and thought-provoking.
But none of this would be possible without the continued support of you, our valued customers and readers. Your engagement and trust in The Locksmith Journal – subscribing to the magazines, following on social channels, chatting to us at shows, inviting us to events and answering the phone(!) have been the driving force behind our success.
We are incredibly grateful to have such a dedicated community behind us, and we look forward to another year of partnership, progress, and innovation.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to delivering the very best content, insights, and industry coverage.
See you next year, Gemma
MORE LOCKSMITH LEGENDS TO WRAP UP THE YEAR
» AS I WRAP UP THE LAST EDITION OF THE Locksmith Journal in 2025( with a mulled wine and far too many chocolates), I can’ t help but reflect on the thing that makes this magazine so special: the people.
This month, we’ re travelling far and wide. Down in Canvey Island, I caught up with Nicky Crossman of DES Locksmiths, a family business that’ s become a real cornerstone across London and the South East. From communal security to new services like fire door maintenance and Wayfinder signage, Nicky shares winter-ready advice and clever ways locksmiths can diversify.
Along the coast in Portsmouth, Darren Dean of Southern Auto Locksmiths proves that spending a lot of time in the garage when he was growing up was the perfect training ground for auto locksmithing. Diagnostics, electronics, immobilisers- Darren makes it all sound strangely satisfying.
Over in Witney, we meet David Hill of Thames Valley Lock & Safe, a man with over 40 years in the trade and enough stories to fill a book. From Youth Training Schemes in the 80s to MLA membership that’ s never lapsed, David reflects on the mentors who shaped him and why adaptability is the secret to surviving( and thriving) in the modern industry.
Up in Macclesfield, Cheshire Lock & Safe celebrates 43 years of craftsmanship, community, and good oldfashioned graft. Richard Cooke’ s journey from apprentice to owner, and now leading the company into its next generation alongside his sons. A kind of full-circle tale that’ s hard not to love.
Interviewing out-of-hours across the pond in Slidell, Louisiana, I spoke with a flip-flop-wearing whirlwind known simply as Gizmo. With hundreds of thousands of followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, he’ s redefining security. From chaotic callouts to daring, unfiltered videos, he’ s well worth checking-out. As we hang up the tinsel and look towards 2026, I want to thank every single one of you who’ s answered their phone to me, shared your story, and given me such fantastic insight into your wonderful lives. I can’ t wait to see who I’ ll meet next year … Until then, have a wonderful Christmas, a joyful New Year, and I’ ll see you in 2026.
As always, if you’ ve got a story worth telling( and I’ m sure you do), drop me a message at wendy @ cvgroup. co. uk.
4
DECEMBER 2025
locksmithjournal. co. uk Issue Takeover