The organisation which governs, regulates and licenses locksmiths in the UK has relocated its national headquarters to Rugby in Warwickshire.
The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) celebrated the move with a special launch event attended by local dignitaries and some of its 1,400 members.
The association’s new headquarters is located at Prospect Park, Valley Drive in Rugby.
The HQ houses a national training facility for new and existing locksmiths and testing facilities for some of the UK’s key lock manufacturers and security products.
It is also home to the Museum of Locks, a unique collection of historic locks.
The Master Locksmiths Association was established in the late 1950s and has grown in membership and stature over the past 60 years.
Its relocation from Woodford Halse, near Daventry, Northamptonshire, to Rugby was designed to provide larger premises for the growing association.
Central geographic location
It also aims to capitalise on Rugby’s central geographic location, maximising access via the area’s road and rail links and making it easier for members from across the UK to attend training courses at the centre.
All MLA approved locksmiths undergo professional training courses, which will now be carried out at the new training centre.
Training includes courses for new locksmiths and update courses for existing MLA members. The investment in the new headquarters has expanded the MLA’s training capabilities and the association hopes to expand the number of courses offered each year.
The official launch and ceremonial ‘unlocking’ of the new MLA headquarters was carried out in the presence of the Mayor of Rugby Cllr Bill Lewis and members of the city’s business community.
New chapter
Dr Steffan George, managing director of the Master Locksmiths Association, said: “We are entering a new chapter in MLA’s 60 year history with our brand new headquarters and training facility in Rugby.
“We are confident that this move will help us attract and train more locksmiths in the next 12 months, but more importantly help raise public awareness about the need to use an MLA approved locksmith for all lock and security protection in domestic and commercial properties.”
Cllr Bill Lewis said: “I am delighted that the MLA has relocated to Rugby and the level of expertise that I’ve seen today is astounding.
“It was shocking to see how someone can think their house is fully secure, and how easily a thief could break in.
“The Master Locksmiths Association have shown today that they are the only locksmiths you should contact when looking at the security of your home.”
