A Day in the Life

We interviewed Gary Millar of GDM AutoKeys on taking over the business Fife Auto Keys to form GDM AutoKeys. Mastering diagnostics and understanding cars, not just keys, helped give him a head start in the auto locksmithing trade. Gary Millar’s … Continue reading →

From a Post-War Vision to a Modern Security Specialist In Norwich, AC Leigh has evolved alongside the locksmithing and architectural ironmongery trade for more than six decades. Founded in 1959 by former pilot Arthur Charles Leigh after the Second World … Continue reading →

When a late-night call-out ended in the national news, Hull auto locksmith Sam Kavanagh found himself at the centre of a debate about non-payment, intimidation and standing your ground as a sole trader.We just had to cover this story and … Continue reading →

When Jason Layne came across the Lockfit opportunity in Wakefield, it was exactly what he was looking for: structured training, national backing, established systems and a reputable brand. At 56, after more than 30 years in senior finance roles within … Continue reading →

When ‘The Locksmith Awards’ announced its 2025 shortlist, Hazel Oakley of Gloucester Locksmiths was elated to be nominated, without knowing who had put her forward for the prestigious award. Unlike many locksmiths in the trade, Hazel isn’t out on emergency … Continue reading →

Robin Killick is still relatively new to locksmithing, but doors, windows and mechanisms have been the backbone of his working life for more than two decades. After 26 years in the double-glazing industry, working his way up from labourer to … Continue reading →

As locksmithing becomes more digital and more competitive, Scott O’Brien has chosen a different route. Rather than relying solely on mobile work and online listings, the Essex-based locksmith has doubled down on a hybrid model; pairing fast mobile response with … Continue reading →

From scrapyards and libraries to £50k worth of kit, Paul Hanscombe explains why auto locksmithing is the ultimate problem-solving trade. Based in Chichester, Paul and his wife Joanne run All Locked Up Safe, a business that has quietly but decisively … Continue reading →

In an industry often judged by its worst operators, Stewart McCracken is quietly doing the opposite. Based in Leeds and covering West Yorkshire, the founder of Yorkshire Locks is building a reputation around trust, education and professionalism in an unregulated … Continue reading →

Cars are becoming more complex, and so is auto locksmithing. Darren Dean believes his background in mechanics and diagnostics gave him the perfect foundation for tackling immobiliser systems, control modules, and the challenges of modern vehicle security. From Portsmouth, he’s … Continue reading →

We had great pleasure in interviewing a former Royal Navy specialist believes honesty, structure and logic are the most underrated tools in the locksmith’s kit. Chris Levy is not a locksmith who just drifted into security. After 25 years in … Continue reading →

In a world where ‘almost’ every business relies on websites, reviews, and social media to stay visible, Stantons Leeds Ltd is quite an exception. This long-standing, family-run locksmith business in Harehills, Leeds, has no website, no social media presence, yet … Continue reading →

Mark Howells’ path into locksmithing wasn’t straightforward. He started out in window glazing, which led to business ownership that was unfortunately derailed by economic upheaval, eventually bringing Mark back to what he enjoys most: working directly with customers and solving … Continue reading →

New Year special feature with award-winning locksmith Odinn Sigurdsson of Lasar on navigating the weather, isolation, and fast-changing security landscape. Few locksmiths operate in conditions as unpredictable, or as unforgiving, as those in Iceland. A stark reminder that we can’t … Continue reading →