For more than 40 years, Cheshire Lock & Safe has been keeping homes and businesses across Macclesfield secure. What began in 1982 as a small local workshop founded by Alan Clayton has grown into one of the area’s most trusted locksmith and security firms.
Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Richard Cooke, the company combines old-school craftsmanship with modern technology to deliver reliable, professional security solutions to its customers, and futureproof the business for future generations.
From Apprentice to Ownership
I started out as an apprentice locksmith back in 1988 at Cheshire Lock & Safe, working under Alan Clayton himself. I qualified as a Master Locksmith in 1993, and after gaining experience at City Lock and Safe, I decided to branch out on my own in 2000. Over the years, I built up my own company (Independent Security Solutions) but I always stayed in touch with Alan.
When Alan decided to retire in 2019, it felt like the right time for me to come full circle. We came to an agreement in 2020, and I took ownership of Cheshire Lock & Safe. It felt symbolic, like a passing of the torch. Alan had built a reputation for integrity and customer service, and that’s something I’ve been determined to preserve.
Now, as we pass the 43-year milestone and enter our 44th year, I’m proud to be steering the company into the future! Hopefully one day passing it on to my twin sons, Alex and Gabe, both of whom have joined me in the business.
A Family of Qualified Master Locksmiths
We’re a small, close-knit team of four, but what makes us unique is that every one of us is a qualified Master Locksmith. My two sons recently achieved their QML status this year, and our shop manager, Andrew Worthington (who started his career here in 1983) also holds an FQML.
Andrew and I go way back; he was my mentor when I started as an apprentice. Bringing him back into the fold was important to me when I took ownership. He also brings valuable IT expertise, which has helped us bring the company fully into the digital age.
Having every member of staff QML-accredited isn’t just a badge of honour, it’s a statement of credibility. In an industry plagued by the rise of fake £49 locksmith scams promoted on Google, it reassures customers that we’re the real deal: qualified, vetted, and accountable.
We’ve been vocal in supporting the Master Locksmiths Association in raising awareness of these scams. I even wrote to our local MP, Tim Roca, who’s pledged to support efforts to bring better regulation to the industry and online search platforms.
Combining Heritage with High Tech
When I took over, one of my main goals was to modernise the business without losing its identity. Gone are the old paper-based systems. We now run a fully integrated EPOS system with inventory control and cloud-based accounting. Here, everything is centralised, our quotes, jobs, parts, invoices, are seamlessly tracked from start to finish.
We’ve embraced Microsoft Azure for cloud services, from Active Directory management to secure data storage via SharePoint. We have triple redundancy built in across our systems, meaning if our premises ever burned down, we could be up and running the next day with no data loss.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s crucial. Customer records, master key suites, and job histories are irreplaceable. Investing in digital resilience gives our larger clients such as the NHS, AstraZeneca, and Bruntwood, the confidence that their information and security are safe.
Safe by Name, Safe By Nature
Safes have always been a cornerstone of our business. At any given time, we have 30-40 safes in stock, a selection of both new and second-hand. We open, repair, and restore them, often breathing new life into equipment others would write off.
One of my proudest moments recently was restoring a 1-tonne vault door in a mortuary that had become too heavy for staff to operate. Instead of replacing it, we engineered a bespoke dolly wheel system that allowed it to glide open with one hand.
On another occasion, a data safe’s locking mechanism failed, and spares were no longer available. We reverse-engineered and manufactured replacement parts, even having springs custom-wound by one of the craftsmen I’ve worked with for years. Seeing that safe back in working order was deeply satisfying.
That’s what I love most about locksmithing – the problem-solving, the craftsmanship, the satisfaction of keeping something functional that others would discard.
Built on Trust & Tradition
We’re not a company that shouts the loudest or races to the bottom on price. Our heritage is our biggest strength. Forty-three years in business tells customers that we must be doing something right. It means we’ll still be here to support the work and products we supply.
We’re also genuinely a family business. With my sons working alongside me and Andrew being a lifelong friend, there’s a shared sense of pride in everything we do. We hold each other to high standards. When we receive feedback from customers about our politeness, professionalism, and the quality of our work, that’s what drives us.
In a trade where trust is everything, I believe integrity and continuity are what set us apart.
Challenges & Changes In the Trade
The locksmithing industry is one of tradition and craftsmanship, but it can be slow to adapt. One of our biggest challenges has been automation. More than half of the products from our main suppliers still don’t have barcodes, which is a nightmare for stock control. It shows that while we’ve advanced in many areas, we’ve got room to grow as a sector.
Another pressing issue is the regulation of the locksmith title. Right now, anyone can advertise as a locksmith, and that’s damaging to the industry. I’ve seen cases where so-called ‘locksmiths’ have turned up in taxis, failed to open a simple euro cylinder, left doors destroyed, and still tried to charge hundreds.
It’s not about gatekeeping, it’s about consumer protection and maintaining standards. The industry needs to unite behind this issue before it harms the profession’s reputation beyond repair.
Looking Ahead
After modernising our internal systems and securing SafeContractor accreditation for excellence in health and safety, our focus is now turning to our online presence. We’ve built the foundations; now it’s time to expand them.
Traditional marketing doesn’t cut it anymore. Social media is essential, but it has to align with our brand. You won’t see us making gimmicky TikToks, but we do see value in strong SEO and a professional digital footprint. Finding a trustworthy SEO partner is key, and thankfully, we have one.
We’re now positioning Cheshire Lock & Safe for the next generation, both in terms of technology and family leadership. With Alex and Gabe continuing the tradition, and systems that can carry us through the next four decades, I’d say the torch is burning brighter than ever.
About Cheshire Lock & Safe
Founded in 1982 and now proudly led by Master Locksmith Richard Cooke, Cheshire Lock & Safe Co. Ltd provides expert locksmithing and security services across Cheshire. Based at Unit 3 Fence Avenue Industrial Estate in Macclesfield, the company offers key cutting, safe sales and restoration, access control, and emergency locksmith services.
An MLA-approved member and SafeContractor-accredited business, Cheshire Lock & Safe is trusted by both private and commercial clients – including the NHS, AstraZeneca, and Bruntwood – to deliver secure, reliable solutions backed by over 43 years of expertise.
www.cheshirelock.co.uk
01625 614178
sales@cheshirelock.co.uk