Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Locksmith in Southend-on-Sea
Leigh Lock & Safe is a family-run locksmith business established over 40 years ago in Westcliff-on-Sea. Our team combines decades of industry experience with a commitment to professional, customer-focused service. We specialise in keys, locks, and safes for domestic and commercial clients, adhering to British standards for security installations. Our reputation for reliability and competitive pricing has been built through consistent referrals and long-standing relationships with NHS trusts, government departments, and major retailers.We prioritise ethical practices, offering unbiased advice and transparent pricing. With a legacy spanning generations, we remain dedicated to meeting evolving security needs while maintaining personal service. Our extensive stock includes transponder car keys, restricted keys, and custom safes manufactured by our sister company. Open Monday to Saturday, we provide prompt solutions for emergency lockouts, safe repairs, and security upgrades across Essex.
Services
Key Cutting
Lock Fitting
Safe Repairs
Locksmith Services
Emergency Assistance
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- Family-run business with 40+ years of local expertise
- Experts in British standards lock fitting and safe installations
- Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
- Serves both domestic and commercial clients including NHS trusts
- Offers transponder key cutting and custom safe manufacturing
What people say
Prompt service
Expert knowledge
Competitive pricing
Family-run ethos
Wide product range
Services
Key Cutting
We provide expert key cutting services for residential and commercial properties. Our shop stocks a comprehensive range of blank keys, including transponder and motorcycle keys. Customers can request duplications from existing keys or code numbers, with specialists available to assist with rare or discontinued key types.
Lock Fitting
Our team offers professional lock fitting services during regular business hours. We supply leading lock brands and hard-to-find models, with re-keying and repair options available. All installations meet British standards, and we provide free advice for selecting appropriate security solutions for different property types.
Safe Repairs
We specialise in safe servicing, repairs, and re-keying with nearly 40 years of experience. Our technicians handle all safe types, from economy models to high-security units. We offer removal services and can manufacture replacement parts for obsolete safes, with competitive pricing maintained across all service packages.
Locksmith Services
Our comprehensive locksmith services cover emergency lockouts, lock replacements, and security upgrades. We serve domestic clients and major commercial organisations including banks, supermarkets, and government departments. Services include key safe installations, restricted key systems, and master key solutions tailored to individual security requirements.
Custom Safe Manufacturing
Through our sister company Leigh Safes, we offer made-to-order security solutions. Customers receive free quotes for custom-sized safes meeting specific security needs. This service combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques to produce safes for domestic and commercial applications across Southend and surrounding areas.
People
Peter Reader
Founder
Established the business in 1971 after starting his locksmith career 65 years ago. Now semi-retired, he continues to contribute his extensive industry knowledge while overseeing family succession.
Russell Reader
Director
One of Peter's three sons managing daily operations with over 30 years' experience in the lock and safe industry. Specialises in commercial security solutions and client relations.
Philip Reader
Director
Contributes 30+ years' expertise in safe manufacturing and technical security systems. Oversees workshop operations and custom safe production for domestic and commercial clients.
Stuart Reader
Director
Focuses on key cutting technology and retail operations with decades of hands-on experience. Manages inventory of over 1,000 key types and cutting equipment maintenance.
Questions
What areas do you cover?
We serve Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Shoeburyness, Thorpe Bay, Eastwood, Hadleigh, Leigh-on-Sea, Chalkwell, Benfleet, Rayleigh, Rochford, Hockley, Southchurch, and Prittlewell.
Do you offer emergency services?
While we don't provide 24/7 emergency cover, we prioritise urgent cases during opening hours and offer prompt assistance for lockouts and security breaches.
Can you cut transponder car keys?
Yes, we provide transponder key cutting services for modern vehicles, including specialist motorcycle keys, using up-to-date equipment in our Westcliff-on-Sea shop.
Do you service commercial clients?
We serve numerous commercial organisations including NHS trusts, government departments, banks, supermarkets, and local schools across Essex.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards for purchases and services at our London Road premises in Westcliff-on-Sea.
Can you manufacture custom safes?
Through our sister company Leigh Safes, we offer made-to-order safes with free quotes available for bespoke security solutions meeting specific size and security requirements.
Reviews (5)
Sallyann Andrade
Dec 13, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Russ turned up promptly and was very cheerful and ready to sort out the problem with my front door lock...he completed the job in twenty minutes. Really please with the service and would recommend
Sallyann Andrade
Russ turned up promptly and was very cheerful and ready to sort out the problem with my front door lock...he completed the job in twenty minutes. Really please with the service and would recommend
Sallyann Andrade
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!
Roger Rendle
Sep 20, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Have probably had 20 keys cut a year for 15 years and never had a problem. Cannot really say better than that.
Have probably had 20 keys cut a year for 15 years and never had a problem. Cannot really say better than that.
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.
