The Locksmith Journal Mar/Apr 2021 - Issue 73 | Page 7

Industry News

Birmingham entrepreneur unlocks key to residents ’ calls for increased home security

» A BIRMINGHAM-BASED LOCKSMITH has opened a new home security shop following evidence that householders have become more security conscious during lockdown .
Tony Harris ( 43 ), became a franchisee of Burton-based national locksmith firm LockFit at the start of 2019 and soon saw his franchise empire expand to encompass four additional territories in the West Midlands .
But the demand for increased home security measures during lockdown has been so great that he has now opened his first high street shop – Home Secure Store – in Cotteridge .
Already open to the trade , the store , which sells everything from locks and windows to CCTV systems , is ready to welcome everyone from April 12 .
According to industry statistics , Birmingham is third in the country for home security , with 25 % of households having CCTV ( behind Manchester on 30 % and London on 27 %).
Tony believes that the increase in demand has been sparked partly by people having more time during lockdown to review their own security .
Other reasons he cites include the huge increase in delivery drivers coming to your door , advances in smart technology like wireless cameras and the muchreported increase in dog thefts during the pandemic .
Tony said : “ It made sense to tie together the threads of my expanding LockFit business by opening a full-service home security shop . Having signed the lease in December 2020 and launched the website at the start of March this year , I ’ m delighted to announce that the new shop is now open for business .
“ The move couldn ’ t have come at a better time , as people have definitely become more security conscious in the short time I ’ ve been a LockFit franchisee . The lockdown situation has probably played a major part in that .”
The shop , based in Pershore Road , in the Cotteridge district of Birmingham , is designed to deliver a much more handson shopping experience than anything else out there - and having spent 20 years in various telecoms roles , including brand marketing and retail store management , Tony is well placed to make a success of it .
“ Home Secure Store is not your average lock shop ,” said Tony . “ It has a full trade counter for all locks and parts , plus a showroom for the various windows , doors and roller-shutter garage doors .
“ It also has a range of smart devices , as well as WiFi enabled lights and wireless security cameras , all set up and operational so you can see for yourself how the various security systems work . In fact , it ’ s not so much a shop as a fully fledged experience .”
Tony ’ s LockFit franchises , which include coverage in Birmingham South , Redditch & Bromsgrove , Kidderminster , Stourbridge & Dudley , Birmingham North and Solihull , are 24 / 7 call-out operations . He supplemented his service by becoming CERTASS-approved , enabling him to fit windows and doors , as well as locks and alarms .
To support his rapid expansion , he now employs two additional service professionals to cover these areas in purpose built vans .
Tony said : “ The new shop means that , when we go out to fix a lock , we can now offer the customer everything they need to upgrade or secure their home . And my Lockfit franchises means that when someone walks into the shop , we ’ re in the perfect position to fit whatever they buy .”
Kevin Russell ( 40 ), founder of Burtonbased LockFit , which now encompasses 45 franchises throughout the UK , is clearly delighted with the entrepreneurial spirit being shown by Tony .
He said : “ As we expanded the LockFit network , it was always critical to me that , we sourced franchisees who could deliver a top-quality service and act as true ambassadors for a better way of doing business in the locksmith sector .
“ Since buying his first LockFit franchise a couple of years ago , Tony has applied himself with impeccable respect for the brand and unstinting care for his customers . I ’ m delighted that he is such an active part of our UK network and I have no doubt that his new shop will meet with outstanding success .”
For more on LockFit ’ s range of services , visit www . lockfit . co . uk For more on Tony ’ s new Lockfit shop , visit www . homesecurestore . co . uk
MAR / APR 2021
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