By Rob Mackay
The start of a new year always brings a moment of reflection, but this one feels different. There’s a real sense of momentum in our industry right now, and an even stronger sense of purpose inside LOCK5.
We’ve never stood still as a business, but as we move into this year, we’re clearer than ever about where we’re heading, how we want to work, and the experience we want to create for our clients, our partners and our people.
This is a year of growth, evolution and excitement. Big goals. Big energy. The same culture that’s always defined us, just sharpened, strengthened and ready for what’s next.
Our industry is shifting, and so are expectations.
Clients want more.
For a long time, the focus has been on modular systems, catalogue-led solutions and familiar formats. Greenhouse-style structures, standard builds, tried-and-tested approaches, they’ve all served a purpose, and many still do. But there’s a growing sense that we’re reaching the end of that cycle.
People want something different. Something fresher. Something that feels considered, intentional and genuinely exciting. More importantly, they want a better experience.
Across hospitality, retail and live events, expectations have changed dramatically over the last few years. People don’t just remember what something looked like, they remember how it felt when they walked in, how they were treated, and whether the experience lived up to the promise.
First impressions matter. Arrival matters. The details matter. And too often, those details are where things fall down.
Bringing service back to the centre.
Somewhere along the way, post-COVID, when everyone was focused on getting back up and running, parts of our industry lost a bit of its human touch. Margins were squeezed. Supply chains shifted. Teams changed. Businesses were busy just surviving. But being busy is not the same as being good.
True service is about attention to detail, pride in delivery, and genuinely caring about the outcome for the client and their guests. Relationships are more important than transactions.
At LOCK5, we’ve always believed in that, but over the last year, we’ve made a conscious decision to double down on it.
That’s meant getting back out there. Seeing clients face to face. Driving hundreds of miles in the first weeks of January alone. Rebuilding, strengthening and deepening relationships that sit at the heart of what we do. Great events don’t come from silos, they come from collaboration, trust and people pulling in the same direction.
Three pillars for growth.
A big piece of news for us this year, is our business is now clearly structured around three core pillars:
Fit Out. Design. Experience.
Each pillar stands alone, but the real magic happens when they work together. Too often in our industry, suppliers operate in isolation, protecting their own scope rather than focusing on the bigger picture. The result? Missed opportunities, diluted experiences and compromised outcomes.
By bringing design, structure and experience into a more joined-up conversation, we can unlock greater value for clients, creatively, operationally and commercially.
Sometimes that means rethinking what’s always been done. Sometimes it means taking calculated risks. And sometimes it means saying: “there’s a better way to do this.”
The future?
Yes, we’re growing. Yes, we’re diversifying. Exploring new markets, including Ireland and wider Europe, positioning ourselves for major future opportunities.
We’re preparing for a full brand relaunch this spring, a new creative expression of who we are today and where we’re going next. New website. New copy. A clearer, bolder articulation of the LOCK5 vision.
At our core, we’re still the same business. Same values. Same standards. Same commitment to delivering at the highest level.
The future of events will be more customer-driven, more experience-led and more detail-obsessed than ever before. People don’t want average. They want moments that feel considered, effortless and memorable from the very first step inside.
This year feels like a turning point. Not just for LOCK5, but for what’s possible when great people, smart thinking and genuine care come together.
We’re ready for it, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next.
To find out how we can help, email us at sales@lock5.co.uk.