THE residents of Launceston need not despair, the key cutting services previously provided by Tamar of Launceston, whose owners are set to retire, will relocate to another local hardware store.

Kevin and Annette Smith will retire at the end of February and will pass over the key cutting section of his business, which he has run for almost 35 years in Launceston, to Bridge Tools situated in the old Bickles store.

Bridge Tools in Launceston is preparing to take on the key cutting aspect of the Tamar of Launceston’s business. Bridge Tools’ owner Steve Calvert said: “It is exciting to be able to provide this extra service to the town. The owners will be retiring and Kevin will be moving his equipment into my shop at the end of February. Until then I will be spending a few days each week with him for the next month learning and being shown how to use the machines — there is a lot more to it than I first thought!”

Speaking about his ‘training’ and how it is going, Mr Calvert said: “Before this I never knew there were so many different types of keys — over 100,000 of them. I just had my first ‘training’ day with Kevin. He has been showing me how to use the key cutting machine. We will be placing the main, standard key cutting machine out front in the main shop but the more ‘specialised keys’ will be done in the back.”

Mr Calvert explained that Mr Smith has been providing Launceston with his key cutting services for around 35 years and does not want to see the town go without the specialist key service he provides for those with ‘unique’ keys, like those of many of the older premises in the town.

Mr Calvert said: “He is a really good man, he told me he doesn’t want to leave the town in the lurch so will work alongside myself to continue offering the specialist service he has provided for many years.

“He has pretty much installed most of the locks in the area and has on record all of the keys for those locks, including all the really unique ones — he has an invaluable knowledge that I hope to learn from.”

Mr Smith has promised to stay on hand at Bridge Tools for a further month after retiring to help aid a smooth take over and transfer of the machines and their running.

Mr Calvert said: “It will be hard trying to pack 35 years’ experience of his trade and the town into two and a half months of training but I am eager to learn so I can continue to provide this valuable service to the town.

“His knowledge will be invaluable and once the two months training are up he will still be on hand and I will have his wisdom at the end of the telephone should I need it. His support is greatly appreciated.”

Both businesses hope to install the key cutting apparatus in Bridge Tools in one evening at the end of February to aid a seamless transfer of the service.

Mr Calvert added: “Kevin was once an electrical installer so things like light bulbs and other electrical equipment, that he previously provided, will still be available as we stock all those things as well.

“It is great and definitely another service we can and are happy to offer. Bridge Tools has been here for four months now but unfortunately it has been pretty quiet. We need the town to know we are here, many people come into our shop saying they ‘tried us last’ and have found exactly what they wanted. We need people to start trying us first because we offer most items much cheaper than anywhere else.

“People may not be aware of what we offer, for example we are one of the only places that stocks a full Dulux paint range, and we will even mix it up for you.

“Now that people know we will be taking over the key cutting service from Tamar of Launceston I hope it will encourage more people to come visit Bridge Tools. Until then we will battle on and hope to see more people from the town soon!”