Client: Esska Shoes
Location: West London
Project Period: April 2025

For independent businesses, security is as much about people as it is about premises. It protects the teams who show up every day, supports their peace of mind, and allows work to continue smoothly without unnecessary worry or disruption.

From Esska Shoes’ West London studio, the team designs new collections, manages operations, dispatches orders, and welcomes customers who want to experience the shoes in person. It is a shared working environment where creativity, logistics, and customer experience meet – making reliability, trust, and dependable security an essential part of how the business operates.

An Unexpected Risk to Business Continuity

In April 2025, director Dan Gyves contacted FHA Security following a breakdown in support from Esska’s existing alarm provider. The site was protected by an older Risco alarm system with police response, relying on a third-party communications module. However, as the original installer retired, support lapsed and critical system access, including engineer and cloud credentials, was no longer available.

This created immediate security risk for the studio.

Without reliable monitoring and police response, the desks team faced the possibility of falling outside required insurance requirements. For a business operating from a combined studio, dispatch, and customer-facing space, even a short gap in compliance could have serious operational consequences.

Trying to Preserve What Was Already in Place

Keeping all factors in mind, our first priority was to avoid unnecessary disruption.

Post initial contact, we explored every available option to retain the existing alarm system, working closely with manufacturers and suppliers to try to recover access. The aim was to keep familiar equipment in place while FHA Security took over monitoring, maintenance, and police response.

Despite extensive efforts, the required access could not be restored within the available timeframe. With insurance deadlines approaching, an alternative solution was required. . 

A Rapid, Thought-Out Upgrade

Rather than leaving the studio vulnerable, we proposed a complete upgrade to a modern smart intruder alarm system that could be installed, commissioned, and monitored immediately.

Once approval was given, we completed the installation within 48 hours through FHA Security’s Express Installation Service, restoring professional monitoring and police response without delay and ensuring the business remained fully insurance compliant.

The new system, based on the Qolsys IQ4 platform, removed the need for specialist third-party communication modules entirely. Dual-path signalling is built directly into the panel, improving resilience while simplifying long-term support and maintenance.

Designed Around People, Not Just Premises

Beyond speed, the system was designed to improve everyday usability for the people who worked there. 

Each staff member now has their own individual user code, with app access provided only where remote control is genuinely required. This creates clear accountability while maintaining straightforward and secure access.

The panel’s integrated camera captures images during arming and disarming, adding an extra layer of verification and reassurance. For a small team sharing responsibility for opening and closing the studio, this removes uncertainty and supports confident decision-making.

Going Beyond the Immediate Fix

While the project began as an urgent response, the outcome is a significantly stronger and more future-ready security solution.

Esska Shoes now benefits from:

  • Reliable, modern alarm technology
  • Stable long-term monitoring and police response
  • Simplified system management
  • Clear user accountability and access
  • A security setup that fits naturally within a creative, customer-friendly workspace

As Dan later shared in his review:

“The FHA team tried to find a solution to this and spent a lot of time trying to get things working… The FHA team managed everything for us in a very friendly way and the install was done in a matter of days. The new system is great. Can’t thank FHA enough for getting things up and running.”

– Dan Gyves, Director, Esska Shoes

The Result: Confidence Restored

Today, Esska Shoes’ West London studio is protected by a security system that feels dependable rather than intrusive. The team can focus on design, production, and customer service, knowing their workspace is secure, compliant, and professionally supported.

For FHA Security, this project reflects our approach at every stage: calm problem-solving, clear communication, and professionally installed, SSAIB-certified business security systems that support real businesses, even when timelines are tight.

FHA Security provides expert design, express installation, monitoring, and ongoing support for business alarm systems and integrated security solutions across London and the South of England.