Portlaoise business celebrates big move after 43 years 

A LEGENDARY locksmith in Portlaoise will celebrate a big move this week, after more than 40 years in the town.

Nolan Locksmiths has just moved to a much larger new unit in Lyster Square, where it will host an official opening at 5pm tomorrow, Friday 25 July.

After 43 years in Railway Street, owner Jack Nolan says that business is already booming in the spacious new shop, after the short but momentous journey from the northside to the southside.

Jack said: “It was bittersweet leaving our old shop that stood us so well. I reared a family there and now my sons are part of the business, master locksmiths and will drive the business on.” 

It all began on Holy Thursday 1982, when Jack opened a shoe repair shop. He soon introduced a key cutting service, which he says has developed into one of the most successful locksmith companies in Ireland.

The multi-award winning business has five PSA licensed locksmiths on the road 24/7 dealing with all types of emergencies, lock fitting and increased security solutions.

Explaining the reason for the move after more than four decades, Jack said: "We just ran out of space. With the increased business and servicing the mobile vans, we needed more space to work and to display our wares.

“We also needed a bit more parking available near the shop for customers to programme car and van keys and so on.” 

Jack started out as a cobbler and shoe repairs will still be carried out in the new shop, with an enhanced array of shoe care products on display.

Every conceivable type of lock, from padlocks to the most modern access systems, are for sale or can be supplied and fitted by the on-road team, with a large array of home and office safes on display.

Loyal customers and newcomers are all welcome to the official opening on Friday, as a new chapter begins in the story of one of the oldest businesses in Portlaoise.