Notice Board
Every day in locksmithing is a school day. A five-day course and City & Guilds Level 3 were useful foundations, but the real learning happens out in the field; when you’ re making mistakes, figuring things out, and picking up advice from the community. Supplier catalogues, social media forums, other engineers … if you stop learning in this trade, you fall behind.
A Typical Day on the Tools These days my days can include anything from gearbox changes and door realignments to fresh-fit mortice locks, emergency board-ups, and vehicle lockouts. I’ ve always loved solving difficult problems, whether it’ s a stubborn multipoint lock or a customer convinced they need a full replacement when they actually just need a hinge or adjustment.
I don’ t have many dislikes but I’ ll admit being watched over my shoulder doesn’ t help, and I’ ll never understand why some people don’ t offer a cup of tea. After 40 years in and around homes, a cuppa is one of the few constants you can usually rely on.
One thing I tell anyone starting out: don’ t expect big money early on. It takes time, graft, mistakes and consistency. If you chase the quick wins, you’ ll burn out fast.
Customer Care: The Way I Think It Should Be
I treat customers exactly how I want to be treated myself: honesty, trust and reliability. It’ s why so many return years later when they need more work. When you go above and beyond every time, people remember it.
My wife Debbie, we’ ve been married 40 years now, handles all the admin and keeps the business running smoothly behind the scenes. We’ ve lived in the New Forest since 2007 and raised three children who have now grown and flown, but the business has always been a family effort.
Plans for the Future I’ m looking at investing in a new van and machinery in the next couple of years. Checkatrade once worked brilliantly, but now Nationals dominate the listings and independents like us get
pushed further down. So, I’ m reviewing what stays and what goes. Marketingwise, the website performs well, local magazines help with brand awareness, and social media keeps us visible in the community.
As for the future of the locksmithing industry, I’ d love to see some form of regulation put into place but, realistically, it would be impossible to enforce. Cash jobs and rogue traders will carry on regardless. All we can do is keep our standards high and make sure customers know the difference between professional and opportunist.
Being Part of The Locksmith Journal
I’ ve always enjoyed reading The Locksmith Journal, I like seeing new products, fresh ideas and the way the industry keeps moving forward. Being invited to feature in the magazine genuinely means a lot to me. I’ m grateful for the opportunity, and it’ s a bit humbling too. I spend most of my time just getting on with the work, so having my story included in a publication I regularly read feels like a real privilege.
KeyLock Locksmiths is a fully independent locksmith service based in the New Forest and operating across Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. The business offers a full range of locksmithing and door-window services including non-destructive and destructive entry, lock fitting and repair, multipoint lock servicing, window and door adjustments, glazing repairs, security upgrades and 24-hour emergency response.
With close to 40 years of experience in the door and window sector, the company focuses on honest pricing, no call-out fees, and engineering excellence backed by genuine customer care.
www. keylocksmiths. co. uk mark @ keylocksmiths. co. uk 07771 994536
JANUARY 2026
13
Issue Takeover locksmithjournal. co. uk