About Stephen Fretwell

My story

My name is Stephen Fretwell, and I am a Rotherham locksmith. This is my story.

I was born on a family farm on the outskirts of Barnsley. The family is still farming and is based in North Lincolnshire, having sold the original farm and moved.  When I left school at 16, I began work on the farm the following day.

I probably didn’t realise it then, but it was a great place to learn the fundamentals of what I now do as a Rotherham locksmith. My father often accused me of “meddling” with things when I was young, but I was just intrigued by stuff. I remember, at a young age, taking two second-hand bikes apart to create one fast one!

When working the land, I felt it was my job to get from one side of the field to the other as quickly as possible before the weather worsened. The downside to this approach was that I often broke the farm machinery! Again, Dad was there because “I broke it, I had to fix it”.

As you can imagine, I got pretty good at taking broken things apart and putting them back together to work again. In the locksmith industry, you must work out the issue daily and then fix it. Little did I realise how, in those formative years as a teenage farmer, I laid the foundations to be a locksmith.

Locksmith training & accreditation

In my late thirties, my circumstances turned, and I needed a career change. While considering my options, I stumbled across the locksmith industry. I decided to buy into a franchise, which was popular back then. They provided a quick entry into an industry with the added support of a company behind you. However, within 18 months, I ventured out on my own.

The franchise provided me with initial training, but I needed more. That’s when fortune smiled upon me, as I had the incredible opportunity to meet Bennie Wells, the esteemed figure in the locksmith world at that time, often referred to as the ‘God’ of locksmithing. I was fortunate to secure one-on-one training with the guru himself. Those two weeks spent with Bennie changed everything, and right then and there, I fell head over heels for locksmithing.

When I started working as a locksmith, I discovered a profound passion for the job. Every day, I was presented with new learning experiences (and I continue to learn something new each day). I enthusiastically shared my newfound love with everyone around me, although I suspect I may have become a bit boring to those who listened—though no one ever mentioned it!

As expected, I am a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) member of The Federation of Small Businesses and an Accredited Locksmith. These all hopefully add credibility to me and my business.

Stephen Fretwell Rotherham, locksmith

The locksmith industry is different from what everybody imagines… which is people losing keys. That aspect is a small part of an average working week. The vast majority of my work is the repair of composite and uPVC doors. I am upgrading door locks, attending evictions, burglaries, and domestics, repairing uPVC window locks and handles, replacing mortice, garage, shed, code, and so much more!

It is a great job, and I don’t regret choosing it as a career; hopefully, it will take me to my retirement someday, but not too soon.

Here to help & advise

One aspect of my job that I enjoy is meeting new people. I am very customer-focused and appreciate that customers trust me to secure their property, possessions and family. I take customer service very seriously, and hopefully, my locksmith reviews are proof of that; please take time to read them.

Please call me for door, window, garage, or shed lock security advice. I offer honest, impartial advice and a competitive, no-obligation quote. I look forward to hearing from you.