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 real problems.
Now running KeyLock Locksmiths across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, he brings decades of hands-on experience with windows, doors, glass and security hardware. His knowledge runs deep, but so does his honesty: “Every day in locksmithing is still a school day,” he says.
A Life in Glass Before Locks
I left school in 1982 and walked straight into a glass company as a trainee cutter and glazier. Back then it was single glazing, hacking out old putty, aluminium frames, and the physical graft of the old-school trade. It was hard work but I loved the buzz of it, and three years later I moved into a company contracted to Hounslow Borough Council for all the 24-hour glazing and emergency boarding. Working alone at 3am on rough estates wasn’t for the faint-hearted, but I was young, fearless, and loved the adrenaline of being the person called when something had gone very wrong.
By the 1990s I’d moved into fitting windows, doors and conservatories on a self-employed basis. That eventually led to surveying work, something that came naturally after years on the tools.
Building a Company… & Losing It
In 2004 I took ‘the leap’ and started my own company, employing several staff and specialising in timber casement windows, doors and sash units. For 12 years it grew, thrived and became something I was proud of. Then the economic climate shifted and by 2016 I had to make the hardest decision of my career: closing the business.
Going back to being employed after running my own shop for so long was a shock to the system. Even as a freelance surveyor I still felt the constraints of taking orders again. I knew deep down I wasn’t finished running a company; I just hadn’t worked out what the next chapter looked like.
Why I Chose Locksmithing
In 2018 things finally clicked. I’d always been fascinated by how locks worked, but more than that I realised how much I relished the challenge of helping customers in stressful situations. There’s something uniquely rewarding about turning up when someone is locked out, staying calm under pressure, solving the problem and watching the relief wash over them. That feeling was enough to push me to start fresh and build something new. KeyLock Locksmiths was born, and I haven’t looked back.
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. Marketing-wise, 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.
www.keylocksmiths.co.uk
mark@keylocksmiths.co.uk
07771 994536
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.