Historic London Chimney Sweep Firm Breaks Gender Barrier with First Female Hire
In a landmark move for one of London's oldest family businesses, H Firkins and Sons has hired its first female chimney sweep in its 166-year history. Lucie Chamberlain, 35, will join the firm on April 1, bringing a fresh perspective to a trade traditionally dominated by men.
'It Shouldn't Be Considered a Male Industry'
Lucie Chamberlain, who qualified as a chimney sweep last August, has already swept 450 flues in just seven months. She describes the opportunity as "quite an honour" to take the title of the firm's first-ever female chimney sweep. "It shouldn't be considered a male industry," she asserts, challenging long-standing gender stereotypes in the trade.
The 35-year-old previously worked in fireplace sales and servicing at a Hertfordshire showroom for nine years before transitioning to chimney sweeping. As London's only female chimney sweep, she has noticed customers often appreciate the different approach she brings to the job.
Customer Reactions and Changing Perceptions
"I didn't think we lived in a world where people booked me because I was female, but I could count on both hands how many times I've heard that when I've arrived at someone's house," Lucie reveals. She believes this response may stem from safety considerations, adding, "It makes me want to do it even more, because if that's the kind of response then I feel sorry for some of these people."
Customers have frequently commented on her distinctive approach, with many noting, "my other chimney sweep hasn't done it like that" or "he didn't do this." Lucie attributes this to what she calls "the female approach," explaining, "Unfortunately we're born cleaning, we're constantly being taught by our mums growing up."
A Modern Trade in Transformation
While the image of chimney sweeps often evokes Mary Poppins and Victorian-era chimney boys, the reality of the modern trade has evolved significantly. Fireplaces have experienced a resurgence in popularity since the Russia-Ukraine War caused gas prices to spike, contributing to broader industry growth.
The National Association of Chimney Sweeps has seen its membership triple to 760 over the past 15 years, according to The Economist. Lucie represents one of just 42 female chimney sweeps currently practicing in the United Kingdom, highlighting both progress and remaining gender disparities in the field.
Problem-Solving Passion and Professional Diligence
What Lucie loves most about her work is the problem-solving aspect. She explains that chimney sweeps begin assessing homes from the moment they arrive, evaluating everything from roof conditions to fireplace types and room layouts. This analytical approach combines with her technical expertise to create what business owner John Firkins describes as exceptional service quality.
John Firkins, a sixth-generation North London chimney sweep who runs H Firkins and Sons with his father Graham, admits they weren't actively looking to hire when they met Lucie. "We weren't actually looking to hire anyone else," he confesses. "But Lucie has a level of diligence and technical knowledge that you just don't see every day. She's incredibly attentive to the work, and frankly, she was too good an opportunity to miss."
Breaking Tradition in a Centuries-Old Business
Founded in 1860, H Firkins and Sons has employed dozens of chimney sweeps over its long history, but never before a woman. John Firkins emphasizes that while this represents a historic first for the company, what matters most is Lucie's professional capability. "More importantly, she's exactly the kind of expert our customers expect," he states.
Lucie hopes her example will inspire other women to consider careers in trades traditionally viewed as male-dominated. "I just want to prove that us girls can do it too," she declares. "For anyone out there thinking about it, go do it because it's going to be an industry you love like I do."
Her appointment comes at a time when the chimney sweeping industry is experiencing renewed relevance, with homeowners increasingly turning to traditional heating methods amid energy price fluctuations. Lucie's presence at one of London's oldest firms signals both continuity and change in a trade deeply rooted in British history and folklore.
