From the Editor
Springing into 2026 and Harnessing our‘ Horse Power’
» AS OUR FEBRUARY MAGAZINES hit the mats and begin landing on counters, desks and workshop benches across the country, it’ s a busy time of year for the trade. Orders are ticking over, projects are gathering pace, and many of our industry partners are in full production mode.
At TLJ HQ, we’ ve already attended several trade events, with more booked into our wallplanner. Also looking at the calendar, there’ s a very important note of 17th February. Our friends and contacts across China will be celebrating the Lunar New Year, welcoming in the Year of the Horse. And the more I thought about that, the more fitting it felt for our industry right now …
In the Chinese zodiac, the Horse is known for its drive, resilience and refusal to accept defeat. It’ s energetic, agile and quick-thinking; traits that could easily describe the modern locksmith. After all, how many times have you faced a stubborn mechanism, an urgent call-out or a complex security brief and simply refused to back down? Tenacity isn’ t just a personality trait in our trade, it’ s practically a job requirement.
The Horse is also shrewd and instinctive, with a natural understanding of people. That resonates deeply with locksmithing. We’ re not just technicians; we’ re problem-solvers and trusted advisers. We read situations quickly, reassure customers in stressful moments and deliver solutions that combine practical skill with integrity. Like the Horse, we act with purpose; and ideally, for the right reasons.
There’ s also a sociable, confident streak to the Horse. It isn’ t shy about its abilities, and rightly so. As an industry, perhaps we could take a leaf from that book. Locksmithing is built on expertise, innovation and professionalism; from traditional craftsmanship to advanced access control and digital security. These are talents worth celebrating.
Here at The Locksmith Journal, I see plenty of‘ Horse energy’ in our own team and contributors: passionate, principled and always pushing forward on behalf of the trade. So as February unfolds, perhaps this is our cue to harness that momentum, to be bold, to be resilient and to keep moving confidently ahead.
See you next time, Gemma
HELLO FEBRUARY: THE DAFFODILS ARE( HOPEFULLY) OUT, SO ARE WE …
» WE’ RE BACK WITH ANOTHER ISSUE PACKED FULL of locksmith stories that remind me why this trade never gets boring – always putting a‘ Spring’ in my step. One thing I love hearing from locksmiths is who helped them along the way- trainers, mates in the trade, trusted suppliers, favourite brands. They may work solo, but they’ re never truly alone …
This month, we’ re in Chichester with Paul Hanscombe of All Locked Up Safe, whose story is all about obsession, integrity, and the satisfaction of figuring things out. After years in double-glazing and domestic locksmithing, Paul pivoted into auto locksmithing, investing heavily in kit and knowledge and diving headfirst into diagnostics, programming, and the kind of complicated faults most people would rather walk away from.
From the South Coast, we head over to Essex to meet Scott O’ Brien of Inlocks Locksmiths, who’ s taken a slightly different approach. While many have gone fully mobile, Scott has doubled down on a hybrid model, combining fast response with the trust and visibility that comes from having a physical shop. Scott’ s story explores why the“ clean” nature of the trade, the mental challenge of picking, and the precision of locksmithing got him hooked for the long haul.
Next, we travel north to Leeds to meet Stewart McCracken of Yorkshire Locks. In a trade that’ s often judged by its worst operators, Stewart is focused on raising standards through professionalism, education, and trust. With a strong army background, Stewart’ s approach to locksmithing is grounded in discipline, problem solving, and doing things properly.
Finally, we head back down to Swanley in Kent, where Robin Killick of Killick Locksmiths is building a locksmith business on the back of more than 26 years in the doubleglazing industry. From labourer to installation manager, Robin’ s career has always revolved around doors, windows, and mechanisms. What makes his story so interesting is how this long-term experience has translated into a thoughtful, repair-led approach to locksmithing.
Altogether, these stories show just how broad, challenging, and rewarding locksmithing can be. So put the kettle on, settle in, and enjoy a journey through a trade that’ s never short on stories. If you’ ve got your own brewing, whether it be from a friendly customer or your faithful flask, you know where I am if you want to take part, contact me at wendy @ cvgroup. co. uk
4
FEBRUARY 2026
locksmithjournal. co. uk Issue Takeover