Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Locksmith in Southend-on-Sea
We are a family-run locksmith business established over 40 years ago, rooted in Westcliff-on-Sea, providing expert security solutions across Southend and Essex. Our team, with over 100 years of combined experience in the lock and safe industry, delivers professional and friendly services without involving call centres. Specialising in keys, locks, and safes, we serve domestic and commercial clients, including NHS Trusts, banks, and schools, maintaining a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. Our commitment to ethical practices and competitive pricing ensures clients receive tailored advice and cost-effective solutions. With a legacy dating back to 1971, we continue to innovate while preserving traditional craftsmanship.Our extensive stock includes security keys, restricted locks, and transponder car keys, alongside safe sales, repairs, and installations. We pride ourselves on free, no-obligation advice and a customer-centric approach that has sustained our family business through generations. Our sister company, Leigh Safes, enables custom manufacturing for unique security needs. Open six days a week, we offer prompt, dependable service to both private and corporate clients. As the longest-standing family-owned locksmith in Essex, we remain dedicated to exceeding client expectations through expertise and integrity.
Services
Key Cutting
Lock Fitting
Safe Repairs
Locksmith Services
Safe Sales
Key Duplication
Lock Re-keying
Safe Installation
Lock Servicing
Emergency Locksmith
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- We are a family-run business established in 1971 with over 100 years of combined industry experience.
- Our team provides free, unbiased advice tailored to your specific security needs.
- We serve both domestic and commercial clients, including NHS Trusts, banks, and schools.
- We offer prompt, reliable locksmith services with competitive and transparent pricing.
- Our sister company, Leigh Safes, enables custom manufacturing for unique security requirements.
What people say
Prompt reliable service
Competitive pricing
Expert key cutting
Family-run expertise
Free no-obligation advice
Services
Key Cutting
We provide expert key cutting services for homes, businesses, and vehicles, including transponder car keys and motorcycle security keys. Our extensive stock covers most lock types, with options for restricted and master keys. Customers receive free advice and competitive pricing, ensuring reliable replacements tailored to their needs.
Lock Fitting
Our professional lock fitting service covers domestic and commercial properties, offering installation of leading brands and hard-to-find locks. We re-key existing systems, repair damaged locks, and manufacture parts for obsolete models. Free advice ensures clients select the most secure, cost-effective solutions for their requirements.
Safe Repairs
We repair, service, and re-key all types of safes, from economy models to high-security units. With nearly 40 years of experience, we offer safe openings, removals, and installations. Competitive pricing and free estimates ensure transparency, while our sister company enables custom safe manufacturing for unique specifications.
Locksmith Services
Our comprehensive locksmith services include emergency lockouts, lock replacements, and security upgrades for residential and commercial clients. Available six days a week, we provide prompt, reliable assistance with free, no-obligation advice. Services extend to NHS Trusts, banks, and schools across Essex.
Safe Sales
We supply a range of safes for home and business use, from budget-friendly options to high-security models. Expert guidance ensures clients select the right safe for their needs, with delivery, installation, and servicing available. Custom manufacturing through our sister company addresses unique size or security requirements.
People
Peter Reader
Founder
Peter Reader founded the business in 1971 and has over 65 years of locksmithing experience. He established the Westcliff-on-Sea shop in 1976 and remains involved in the family business, mentoring his sons in ethical, customer-focused practices.
Russell Reader
Director
Russell Reader, one of Peter's three sons, manages daily operations with over 30 years of industry experience. He ensures the business maintains its reputation for reliability and trustworthiness while serving domestic and commercial clients across Essex.
Philip Reader
Director
Philip Reader brings over 30 years of expertise to the family business, focusing on customer service and technical solutions. He works alongside his brothers to uphold the company's legacy of honest, competitive pricing and expert security advice.
Stuart Reader
Director
Stuart Reader contributes his extensive knowledge of locks and safes to the business, ensuring clients receive tailored security solutions. With over 30 years of experience, he plays a key role in maintaining the company's high standards.
Questions
What services does Leigh Lock & Safe Company offer?
We provide key cutting, lock fitting, safe sales and repairs, emergency locksmith services, and custom security solutions for domestic and commercial clients.
Do you serve both residential and business clients?
Yes, we cater to private homeowners and businesses, including NHS Trusts, banks, schools, and supermarkets across Essex.
Are your services available outside regular hours?
We offer emergency locksmith services beyond our standard Monday to Saturday hours for urgent situations.
Can you assist with car or motorcycle key duplication?
Yes, we duplicate transponder car keys and motorcycle security keys using modern equipment for accurate, reliable results.
Do you provide free advice or estimates?
Yes, we offer free, no-obligation advice and quotes to help clients choose cost-effective, secure solutions tailored to their needs.
Reviews (5)
Tricia Grounsell
Dec 04, 2021
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Russ arrived on time arranged, fitted lock as required, also answered lots of questions regarding my other door. Very professional job , also cleaned up afterwards. Would definitely use the Company again and also recommend them.
Alan Lautman
Nov 20, 2021
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Amazing service! My wife went in yesterday afternoon for a non urgent job, they came round first thing this morning . Incredibly polite, efficient and also great value too. A particularly nice thing is we paid after it was done. So unusual in this day and age to be trusted. I k is the cynics among you will say that they know where you live; but that isnt the point. Its old fashioned values which , on top of everything else, really make you want to spread the word about this company. Im on no way connected or related to them, just calling it as it is!
M. Hunter
Sep 18, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Thank you to Russ for his speedy attendance and for removing the broken key from the lock without having to take the lock apart. Would definitely use Leigh Lock & Safe again.
Thank you to Russ for his speedy attendance and for removing the broken key from the lock without having to take the lock apart. Would definitely use Leigh Lock & Safe again.
Sj P.
Jul 24, 2021
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I have used Leigh Lock and Safe a couple of times in recent months for different issues. On these occasions i was dealt with by two seperate guys but have to say the service from both was second to none! Great customer service, friendly and incredibly helpful. Actually went out of their way to advise and repair locks rather than try to sell me something. Thank you for your help, it really was greatly appreciated! Can't recommend highly enough.
Mick Lawrence
Nov 18, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Punctuality,Quality,Value
Have used this company on numerous occasions for key cutting, replacement locks and most recently the purchase of a safe. They have always provided a professional service and quality products at a very competitive price. Highly recommended and will definitely be back
Services:Security door locks,Safe locks
Have used this company on numerous occasions for key cutting, replacement locks and most recently the purchase of a safe. They have always provided a professional service and quality products at a very competitive price. Highly recommended and will definitely be back
Services:Security door locks,Safe locks
