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‘Paul
beat locksmiths
from across Britain
and Ireland to become the
fastest to crack a jammed
door lock in a challenge
run by the firm
Ultimate Tools’
to share information and offer advice. It
is largely thanks to his expertise in PVCu
training that I have been able to build up
such good business in that sector where
there is such a high demand– I made
my money back within just a few weeks.
I am grateful to Dennis because with
PVCu you really cannot just blag your
way through, it just isn’t good enough,”
he added. “Martin has always helped out,
no matter where in the world he has been
and his long distance advice has saved
me many hours of potential drilling!”
Demonstrating how much he has
learned, at the last MLA Expo, Paul
beat locksmiths from across Britain and
Ireland to become the fastest to crack a
jammed door lock in a challenge run by
the firm Ultimate Tools.
THE FAST ANSWER TO URGENT JOBS!
Like all locksmiths, Paul runs a van but
he does a lot of driving and found the van
(called ‘Guinevere’ after King Arthur’s
ill-fated Queen) was restricted by law to
60mph on dual carriageways and 50mph
on A roads.
“I looked into it and discovered I could
get an extra 10mph with an alternative
vehicle for getting to emergency jobs
faster. So I invested in a new BMW 650cc
GT maxi-scooter. It does (ahem) 70 mph
and rides like a dream – and if I know the
job in advance, I can bring my tools with
me.”
The super-scooter even has a
personalised number plate: SLF – in
honour of Paul’s favourite band, punk
heroes Stiff Little Fingers.
“I first saw them in Germany in 1991
after I came back from the Gulf War,” he
To read more, visit www.locksmithjournal.co.uk
said. “I’ve seen them every year since
1999, hung round backstage and got to
meet Jake Burns. Now I’m a friend of the
band.”
The scooter and the van cover a lot of
miles: Paul’s territory covers big chunks
of Devon and Cornwall where his
reputation certainly goes before him.
But it isn’t just his professional
approach and winning smile that brings
him business.
“I firmly believe that customers have
to have complete trust and confidence
in us,” he said. “We are willing to put our
money where our mouth is in terms of
quality of products and service and we
set great store on genuine testimonials. I
also offer fair prices and aim to give every
customer complete satisfaction.”
In January 2013, Sir Fix-A-Lock was
accepted and approved by the Trading
Standards ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme
which underlines his own determination
to raise the profile of the industry and
“getting rid of any cowboys”
.
Paul, who is married and has two sons
living in Germany, offers discounts to
senior citizens and to members of HM
Armed Forces, NHS as well as estate
agents and landlords.
Although he works long hours every
day, he also finds time to support several
charities, including Jeremiah’s Journey,
which helps youngsters who have a
parent who has died or who is terminally
ill.
He helps by wearing the large teddy
bear suit or raises money by selling,
‘Paul’s broad accent,
his friendly, genuine
smile, his enthusiasm
for everything he does
and his expertise, all
go towards making
him popular with his
customers – and as
a result, business is
definitely booming!
rather than scrapping, metal from old
locks and safes.
“It makes sense to raise some money
to do a bit of good for somebody less
fortunate - and it is also better for the
environment,” he said.
Paul feels strongly that there are so
many people who are worse off than
him and said: “If you can make someone
smile on any day, that’s surely a good
thing to do.”
Paul’s broad accent, his friendly,
genuine smile, his enthusiasm for
everything he does and his expertise, all
go towards making him popular with his
customers – and as a result, business is
definitely booming!
www.sirfixalock.com
THE SEP/OCT 2014 ISSUE
SPONSORED BY ADVANCED KEYS
21