Key Cutting Northampton: Spare Keys Cut While You Wait
Lost a key, moving house or just fed up of sharing one front door key between three people? Key cutting in Northampton doesn't have to mean leaving your keys somewhere and coming back tomorrow. At RockBottom on Ashburnham Road we cut keys in store while you wait, usually in 2 to 5 minutes per key depending on how busy the counter is.
If you've been searching "key cutting near me" or "keys cut near me" from the town centre, Semilong, St James or Kingsthorpe, we're a short trip away in NN1. We're a family-run builders merchant, hardware and DIY store that has been serving Northampton for more than 30 years, and key cutting is one of the jobs we do every single day.
Key cutting Northampton prices
Our prices are simple and shown up front:
- Cylinder keys: 3 for £18, or £6.99 each
- Security keys: 2 for £20, or £12.99 each
- Mortice keys: from £7.99
The 3 for £18 cylinder deal is worth knowing about. If you need one spare, you pay £6.99. If you need three, you pay £18 rather than £20.97, so it makes sense to think about who else might need a copy before you come in.
Which keys we cut
We cut the keys most homes and small businesses use:
- House cylinder keys, including Yale-type, Euro cylinder and rim cylinder keys
- Mortice keys for 3-lever and 5-lever locks
- Padlock keys
- Selected cabinet, locker and postbox keys
We do not cut car keys or transponder (chipped) keys. Those need specialist equipment and programming, so a car dealer or an auto locksmith is the right place for them.
Not sure what kind of key you've got? Our key cutting page has the full list of what we cut, and the staff at the counter will tell you in seconds.
What to bring
- The physical key. We can't cut from a photo, however clear it is. We need the real key in the machine to copy it accurately.
- All the pieces of a snapped key. If your key has broken, bring every piece. As long as the pattern is still readable, we can often duplicate it.
- Worn keys too. A key that has to be jiggled is still worth bringing in. If the cuts can still be read, we can usually help.
- The security card for restricted keys. Some security keys are registered and can only be copied when you show the card that came with the lock.
Tip: always copy from the original key if you can, not from a copy. Every copy of a copy loses a little accuracy, which is why some spares never feel quite right in the lock.
Why spare keys matter
Landlords need a spare set for every property for inspections, repairs and emergencies, plus a set for each new tenant. Getting all the cylinder keys done at once keeps the cost down.
Tenants often get handed one key and quickly find it isn't enough. Check your tenancy agreement first, as some landlords want to know about copies, then get a spare made so you're not locked out at the worst moment.
Families with teenagers, a cleaner, a dog walker or a relative who pops in all need their own key. A spare left with a trusted neighbour in Abington or Duston saves a call-out charge when someone gets locked out.
Trades working on site often need keys for the front door, a shed or a lock-up for the length of a job. A quick copy means nobody has to wait around for the one person with the key.
Our key cutting guarantee
If a key we cut doesn't work, bring it back promptly along with the original and we'll recheck it and recut it. Do test new keys in every lock they're meant for as soon as you get home, not weeks later.
Key blanks and locks online
We also sell more than 1,100 key blanks online from brands including JMA and ABUS, such as the JMA ABU-1D cylinder key blank for Abus. If you're changing a lock at the same time, have a look at our MP5 60mm Euro double cylinder, which sits in our 5% Mix & Match & Save range.
For advice on choosing a qualified locksmith for lock fitting or lockouts, the Master Locksmiths Association is a useful starting point.
Key cutting FAQs
How long does key cutting take?
Usually 2 to 5 minutes per key, depending on the queue.
Can you cut a key from a photo?
No. Please bring the physical key so we can copy it accurately.
Do you cut car keys?
No, we don't cut car keys or transponder (chipped) keys.
How much is a spare front door key in Northampton?
A standard cylinder key is £6.99, or 3 for £18. Security keys are £12.99 each or 2 for £20, and mortice keys start from £7.99.
What if my new key doesn't work?
Bring it back promptly with the original and we'll recheck and recut it.
Visit us
RockBottom Northampton, 2 Ashburnham Road, Northampton NN1 4QY. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5:30pm and Saturday 9am to 5:30pm, closed Sunday. Call us on 01604 720272 or get in touch online. Bring your keys in and we'll have your spares cut while you wait.