From spring 2017, the pound coin changes to a new 12-sided coin. Are you ready?

The Royal Mint made its last circular coin in January. The impact on the leisure industry will be wide ranging, especially in locker management. Current £1 coin return locks will in the main NOT work with the new coin, which is a slightly different size and shape.

Bev Sharpe from Ojmar’s UK agency Simple Locking Solutions Ltd answers questions from various sport and leisure operators on how the change from the old to new coin could be an opportunity for change in their clubs.

What can I do now?
Ojmar locks for 2016 have been modified to work with both coins, with a new distinctive decal and a new shape lock body to avoid confusion.

Do I have to change all my locks?
No, Ojmar locks have removable cylinders which can be used in a new style lock body.

Will I definitely need to change? Can’t my locks be adjusted?
Many Ojmar locks sold over the past 10 years were supplied with adjustable coin slots and these will be able to be adjusted with a tool template, new coin slots and decals so there’s no need to replace locks or lock bodies. Contact us for details on how to identify an adjustable lock.

Would this be a good time to change away from coin locks?
There has never been a wider range of Ojmar locks as an alternative to the more traditional coin locks.

We are on a really tight budget – what other products would you recommend?
Our Hasp lock is a simple but attractive robust alternative to the coin lock which can very easily be retrofitted to the coin lock footprint.

What if I wanted to increase revenue in my club?
Our range of card/coin or coin retain locks are the simplest options.

The card/coin lock gives you the opportunity to allow members free locker access but to charge a small fee to non-members (therefore increasing the benefits of membership) and helping to pay for locker room maintenance.

What about your RFID locks with wristbands?
Ojmar’s market-leading OTS RFID lock is a quick easy retrofit to the coin lock.

You can utilise the strap return unit to take a small deposit on the bands and vend back a £1 coin. This can encourage secondary spend and allows you to change the cost of the locker for different groups of users fairly. Bands can also be returned in place of F&B, increasing footfall in the café.

Is there anything else that could work with the RFID lock?
Yes, you could use existing Precor bands, Gladstone access / membership bands, Technogym wellness keys and many other membership access or student cards.

I’m fed up with dealing with keys and locker reservations. Is there any other alternative?
What about our OCS digital lock? No keys, great for wet and humid environments, changeable master codes and a simple user defined code which resets every time. You can set the locks to Auto Open at night or after a few hours to maximise locker space.

When should I switch?
It may seem like we have all the time in the world, but this will affect most clubs in the UK in some way, so the sooner you take action the better. Even if that is by staging the replacement coin lock bodies over the next 10 months, it will avoid being in a panic in the weeks before the changeover.

How can I find out more?
Why not start with a conversation to see if you can improve the running of your facility? Talk to us at Ojmar or to your locker manufacturer or maintenance provider. Or visit Ojmar at FIBO to find out why less is more, or at Elevate London to discuss your options with our team.