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When it comes to finding extra space for storing your goods, a self-storage facility always comes in handy. In most cases, these units serve the user’s need for the temporary storage of goods before moving them to the market.

The good thing is that any business can incredibly benefit from having a self-storage facility.

But, how exactly big is the self-storage industry in 2021? This question is quite hard to answer. Such units are usually not officially recorded anywhere.

Besides that, there are many small facilities set in rural areas and are not licensed. Also, you will find most of them with less online presence or marketing. Therefore, it can be tiring when you want to determine the size of such an industry accurately.

With the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, the demand and growth of self-storage space have continued to rise.

According to estimates made by SSA UK, there are more than 1900 self-storage units in the UK. Of the total storage units, 563 entirely offer container-based storage, classically transformed into shipping containers.

Moreover, these units occupy about 49 million square feet in the UK, with an average size of up to 25,700 square feet. In 2020, the turnover estimates from the industry stood at £766million.

About 30% of self-storage units in the UK are managed or owned by large operators who manage more than 10 sites.

Most of these operators usually have larger sites and are situated in advanced rental locations. Therefore, their market shares are relatively over 40% regarding the total space and revenue they earn.

Bottom Line

The UK registers up to 41% of the self-storage industry with the most storage per individual than other UK countries.

Therefore, we can’t expect that figure to reduce any time sooner. There is no doubt that the number of self-storage space in the UK in 2021 will hit over 50million sq. ft.

Are you looking for reputable and reliable storage services in Manchester? If yes, Spaces and Places has the most secure self storage units in Manchester.

The good thing is, you can find ample space that suits all storage needs. With remarkable services, you can always rely on them for both short and long-term storage of your goods.

Reference;
https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-kingdom/news/2020/05/demand-for-self-storage-space-in-the-uk-remains-robust
https://www.statista.com/statistics/482679/expected-development-of-the-self-storage-industry-united-kingdom/

Here are six pieces of advice based on the most common student packing mistakes.

Though it is funny to see YouTube videos of students trying to transport their beer-can sculptures or students with suitcases that burst open to review their spotted underwear, there are some packing mistakes that are a little less obvious.

Here are six student packing tips that will serve you well.

1 – Buy and Use Collapsible Plastic Boxes

Do not underestimate the sheer power and versatility of collapsible boxes. Not only do they make packing and unpacking a breeze, and not only do they store away very nicely, but they are also useful in your everyday life.

Your online groceries charge extra to deliver with bags, so whip out your box and fill it at your door when the delivery driver arrives.

Do you have junk on your desk and floor that you need to shift before your big date, expand a box, throw your stuff in, and put it in your closet, result: clean room, no fuss, no mess.

2 – Fold Your Clothes

There is this misunderstanding with students where there is an honest belief that if you simply lie clothes on top of each other, that you are making fuller use of the space, but it is just not true. Neatly folded items will fit into a case or box far better than if you try to “Tetris” them into your case.

3 – Use Moisture Absorbing Silicone

You can buy this stuff from grocery stores and online for fairly cheap. People use them around their house to stop mould, and you can use them in your storage area, or in your plastic boxes to stop mould damage.

Things that are vulnerable are clothes in long-term storage, printed/glossy photos, old books that use pre-polymer paper, and cuddly toys.

4 – If It Can Crack, Do Not Stack

The old advice “Stack heavy stuff at the bottom” is true enough but doesn’t always apply. Your slow-cooker, your glass/metal table, and your PC tower can probably hold a bit of weight, but too much weight will crack them.

If you have to stack, such as if you have hired a small-but-secure unit from Spaces and Places Self Storage, then do not be afraid to steady up your stack’s foundations with everything from wood to breeze blocks.

5 – Know What Not to Pack

Sounds silly, but many items will do better if you transport them as they are rather than trying to box and bag them up.

It sounds like a joke, but there are student-hired removal vans where the student has tried to box up his punch bag or tried to box up her clothes hangers.

A punching bag goes in as it is. Clothes hangers can be tied together and thrown on top of whatever you are moving, they do not need to be neatly boxed unless you are storing them for the next 10 years.

6 – Do Not Buy Cardboard Boxes

Despite the fact that you can pick up cardboard boxes everywhere, from neighbours who have had Amazon deliveries, to local shops down the street, there is also the fact that cardboard boxes are pretty useless.

If you cannot stack your stuff, then they are no help to you. Even putting your clothes in boxes isn’t recommended as you can put them in bin liner bags and pile them on top of each other in the van.

Below is a really simple guide on how to reorganize your self storage unit

The chore of cleaning and organising a self-storage unit, especially one you haven’t visited in a while, might seem overwhelming. But these tips should help reassure you that it’s actually an easy task.

1. Take an inventory and develop a game plan

The primary step is to open boxes and take out things to see what you have. Have a positive outlook and keep an eye out for prized family heirlooms that can be passed down to future generations, or even items of value that can be donated or sold.

If there are too many things in the unit to create a more organized space, consider what you no longer need to store. It is essential to understand that an overfilled unit will need much time and effort to rearrange.

Once you know what you have in your storage unit, manage a plan of what to do with everything. Make a list of things you will sell, things you plan to keep, things for donation, and things that need to be dumped.

2. Lighten your load, recruit helping hands

If your giveaways are in good condition then you are in luck, as some non-profit organisations will pick them up for free. In the case of items for sale, arrange for the receivers to pick them straight from your self-storage unit.

Plan the pickups before your reorganising day to reduce the things you have to arrange. You can either call your friends to help with cataloguing the boxes or hire help which will help with both moving and reorganising the storage unit.

3. Dispose of trash and reorganise your unit

Come up with a plan to take care of the items in your storage unit destined for the landfill. It can be in the storage facility waste bin, or you can lease a garbage removal troupe to pick up the junk.

At this point, you only have what you intend to keep, and it will be easy to reorganize it in the self-storage unit.

4. Spaces and places self-storage

At Spaces and Places, our self-storage in Middlewich provides safe, clean, and very affordable flexible storage options. The access is 24/7. We have solutions to everything your self-storage unit may need.

The ‘working from home’ stigma has disappeared since the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Remote working is now common even if it’s under a challenging landscape. The rapid development of remote working led to the disappearance of the stigma associated with it prior to the pandemic.

Twice as many employees are working remotely, according to Stanford research. It’s the new ‘working from home’ economy. Hubspot shows that since 2010, the number of people who are working remotely has increased by 400%.

Despite the accelerated growth in figures, remote working has its challenges. Clutter decreases productivity and lack of space at home makes it impossible to create an organised and distraction-free work environment. Read on to find out how you can maximise your office space with a storage unit in Manchester.

Reduce Clutter

A 2018 study published in Current Psychology highlights a strong link between clutter problems and procrastination across all age groups.

With age, clutter-related stress and frustration increase and lead to overall life dissatisfaction.

Remote working in a home office space involves removing some valuables and belongings from your space. When you don’t have the room for these items, Spaces and Places is your solution. Our premium storage solutions come in different sizes, high-end security, and exceptional customer service.

No Distractions

Choose a separate room for your home office, which you can turn into a distraction-free working area.

Not all homes offer this possibility as many live in shared apartments or houses. If you don’t have a separate and isolated room to use, try and create a no-distractions space.

You’ll maintain increased focus and achieved high levels of productivity. A storage unit can help you keep valuable items and furniture while you create a perfect remote working environment.

Store Sentimental Items

Our facilities also help you store precious and climate-sensitive items in the safest conditions. You’ll enjoy a free and organised space to sustain increased productivity while keeping valuable sentimental items.

Store your past photos, albums, discs, notebooks, and books in special storage solutions. We offer exceptional customer service to help you find the best option for your needs.

In today’s remote working economy, the new normal is working from home. To ensure excellent productivity levels and superior results, you should organise a clutter-free home office.

Use professional self-storage solution providers to help you maintain a clean and clutter-free environment in your home for the best outcomes. Our team will help you choose the best solutions available.

Are you struggling to get back to the norm after Christmas? The period shortly after Christmas can be messy and overwhelming as you have all kinds of goodies at your home and may not be too sure where to start the decluttering process.

Here are some tips to help you streamline your closets, deal with the toys taking over the dining room and eventually work on the junk drawers.

To start with, deal with the holiday trappings as you clear the plastic ornaments and candles using small containers you have such as the empty cartons.

You can wrap the fragile ornaments using old newspapers or else acquire self storage in Manchester. If you do struggle to get a motivation to declutter the Christmas decorations, you can set a deadline and note it on your diary. Ensure you make efforts to clear all the traces of Christmas by the set deadline.

Next, you will have to tackle the toys cluttered all over. The best way to deal with it is by engaging the children and getting them to select some of the toys to donate. Donating some of the toys to the less fortunate can be a motivating way of doing away with some of them.

Another great way would be encouraging them to sell the toys they no longer need through the online platforms or at the garage sale and keep the proceeds for their use. Once the toys are put away with then it becomes much easier to clean the home.

The kitchen can’t go unnoticed as it needs a thorough clean up. Be ruthless. Do away with any food that you are no longer going to consume. Sweep the floor and the fridge clean and don’t forget to work on the countertops.

Afterwards, get yourself a treat by going to the store and getting healthy eats stocked ready to start the new year.

Lastly, use Spaces and Places Self Storage to store your new items. It will be an easier way to see if you have spaces for new possessions.

Sports equipment is common to most households with or without sports enthusiasts. This is because to some people, sports are just an activity that is mandatory in school, while for others, sporting is a passion.

However, having a lot of equipment in the house can be challenging. This is especially the case when you do not have adequate storage space in your home. Below are some incredible ideas on storing sports equipment;

Garage storage

The garage is an incredible sports equipment storage option. It is the ideal place to store items that you use a lot. You can install items like hooks and baskets to keep helmets and small balls, respectively. You can set aside space in the corner for golf clubs and other things that do not take up a lot of space.

Storage cubes

Storage cubes are also an amazing option for keeping sporting equipment in any area of your home. You can have the cubes installed in one of the rooms in your house, garage, or any other space. You can use storage cubes for virtually anything. Storage cubes are cheap and an easy way to organize your home and sporting equipment.

Storage unit

If you do not have adequate space in your home, you can always store your sports gear in storage facilities or units. However, it would not be wise to store sports essentials that you regularly use in a unit because then you will have to keep traveling to the facility to get the items.

A storage unit one of the wisest storage solutions if you want to keep valuable sports memorabilia, equipment that you or your kids have outgrown and do not want to give or throw away. You can also use it for seasonal sports gear like summer sports items or winter sports equipment.

Storage unit in Nuneaton and Winsford

For a storage unit in Nuneaton and Winsford, Spaces and Places is the best solution. The company offers some of the best and safest storage solutions in the area. You can use the solutions for your sports gear and other items that you do not have space for in your house.

What is a storage auction?

A storage auction is convenient and incredible way for owners of storage facilities to recover some of their back rent while clearing out their storage spaces for new clients.

Storage auctions are conducted by the owner of a storage facility when a former client stops paying for rent and still has belongings in the storage space.

Most of the time, this happens when a client passes away, generally neglects the responsibility, or abandons the items in the facility. In such cases, the owner of the facility has the right to host an auction for the contents inside the storage facility.

How do storage auctions work?

Below are a steps explaining how storage auctions work;

• Note down the items- the owner of the storage facility has to jot down the items that are inside the storage unit before the auction or bidding starts.

• Opening of the storage unit- The first thing that happens in a storage auction is that the storage units are opened up to the audience. The audience gets time to see what is inside the storage unit. However, they are not allowed to go through any boxes or packed items. They also cannot move the items to see everything.

• The bidding- after the visit to the unit, the bidding begins. Note that the items in the storage unit can be offered as a lot or as individual pieces. If the owner is offering the items as a lot, it means that the person who wins the bid gets all the items in the unit. The bidding happens the same way as in any other auction.

Note that most storage facility owners choose to offer the items as a lot because it is much easier and it guarantees that all the items are bought. Once the bidding is done, the winners have to collect the items in 48 hours so that the owner can put the unit up for rent again.

How to find your nearest storage auction

You can find your nearest storage auction from looking it up online or through auction announcements. You can also look up storage rental sites in Nuneaton and Manchester for some insight on storage auctions in the area.

Self-storage units are often associated with personal use – people who need to store their goods temporarily. But, even those with small businesses or on the path to start, one can hugely benefit from a self storage unit in Nuneaton to carry out business operations.

That’s where renting a space comes in handy. While at it, you use your business designated area to do the important operations while other tasks such as inventory are left to the company offering self-storage services.

Still, how can self-storage benefit your start-up business?

Your Business Get Storage for Merchandise

Having stock you don’t need during a particular season can be problematic, especially if you don’t have ample space. For starters:

• Off-season and in-season items mix
• Managing inventory becomes a challenge
• Off-season merchandise hold space you could be storing in-season products

Online or brick-and-mortar businesses have a better chance of managing inventory when they get self-storage services.

Store Important Documents

Keeping a trail of business documents is crucial. Instead of keeping the records in your office where everyone can access them, self-storage is better. For starters, the company offering you space ensures to protect your document by providing surveillance and security. Also, limited people can access your space.

Reduced Overhead Costs

Storage for businesses requires one to pay for services for the amount of time needed. So instead of renting a space and spend a lot of money, storage spaces are more cost-effective if you’re running a seasonal business. Also, paying rent for ample space instead of directing the money to something more crucial when you’re a small business can be unwise.

Storages are convenient and flexible

Self-storages facilities come with various advantages. These include:

• 24/7 access
• Trained staff to assist you
• Storage supplies – materials to help keep your items from contamination or spoiling
• Dollies to help you move in and out your goods

What’s more, you choose a space size depending on what you want and increase when you need to.

Security of Items

Another way businesses can benefit from self-storage is the safety and security of documents and products. Reputable storage unit providers give top-notch security to protect your goods. Also, these companies cover your goods from excessive temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors.

There are several ways to get the most out of your storage unit. If you’re looking for space that is both convenient and great value, Spaces and Places is a perfect choice. For some top tips, have a look at our guide below.

Consider Security and Safety

If you want to get the most out of your Middlewich storage unit, it pays to choose one that offers plenty of safety and security. Make sure there are measures taken to protect your valuables, whether you’re storing furniture, collectables, documents or need motorcycle storage. You’ll want to be sure there’s CCTV, Smart Water DNA security, as well as gates and secure padlocks. That way you can be sure that your items are perfectly safe when you’re aren’t there.

Location is Important

The location of your storage unit plays a big role in how much added benefit you get out of it. Choose one that’s close to home so that if you need access, it’s just a quick trip away. If it’s too far, getting things in and out of the unit will be more problematic, taking up more time than if it’s near your home or business.

Pack Strategically

Instead of just tossing everything into your unit, take care to pack it well. Not only does this protect your items from the risk of damage, but it also makes them easier to find should you need to locate items at a later date. Put the heaviest and largest items on the bottom, stacking smaller and lighter ones on top.

Label everything so you know what’s in each box: this will save you valuable time if you’re looking for something specific, later. If it’s a business, consider keeping a list of stock close to the unit entrance, or create an online inventory to track the contents, with a place to add comments and updates, such as when stock is removed or replaced.

Finally, Think About Insurance

While your items are safe in a reputable storage facility, it’s a good idea to consider insuring the items. Whilst a fire, pests or floods cannot affect your belongings, due to the unique nature of our storage units, moving items between the unit and other premises is always the time when someone might drop something you value. By insuring your items, you can trust that you’ll be compensated in the event of any damage or loss, whilst in transit.

Minimalist living centres around a philosophy that promotes living more simply and living with less. It requires you let go of all the junk you don’t need and keep only the essentials.

Joshua Becker, the Becoming Minimalist blogger says that “Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value in life by removing anything that distracts us from it.”

Here are some of the top minimalist living tips:

Determine the space you have and identify your priorities

The first step to minimalist living is evaluating the space you have at your disposal and planning accordingly. Prioritise to help identify what you can declutter and what should be kept. For instance, if you have clothing you no longer wear, donate to save space.

Focus on each room

When working with limited space, you need to work towards the maximum utilization of the available space. It is best to concentrate your energy on one room at a time, so that you can declutter with genuine focus. Consider how each space is used and remove the things that do not enhance this purpose. This might initially seem overwhelming, but it is necessary to ensure that you save on available space.

Use self-storage units

When adopting a minimalist approach to living, you will need to limit ornaments, furnishings and wall decorations to only those that offer beauty or purpose. If you have numerous items you want to keep but you do not have adequate space, consider using a self-storage unit. Depending on your needs, you can rent space over a short-term period, to ensure you keep your belongings safe until you decide what can or cannot be kept.

Store items that offer seasonal value

Minimalist living requires that you only have the items you will need in your day to day living. Out of season clothes can be safely stored with companies that offer bespoke or valet storage services. They may help you with collection and delivery & advise you on an inventory.

Tidy your room regularly

Another tip for minimalist living is ensuring you regularly tidy your space. This is vital in ensuring that you get rid of items you do not need, to free up space. As time passes by, some of the things you once required will no longer be of use and can be donated or thrown out.

Minimize what you buy

One of the sources of collecting more items in your home is buying what you do not need. When adopting a minimalist life, you will need to cut down on the things you buy. Ensure that you only buy what you need and avoid piling up items you will not use.

Office space can be expensive and depending on your industry, sometimes you need to store products for infrequent use.

Having piles of items filling up office space can reduce the performance of highly stressed employees as they have to keep manoeuvring around things.

Whilst storage facilities are generally associated with storing furniture and other collections, they can be a gem, primarily if you ship in products upon order. They are not only useful during the downsizing of a company or when one relocates.

How to Utilise a Storage Facility

As a tradesman, you probably have electrical parts, fittings and other expensive tools that cannot all fit in your van. It is also risky driving around with extensive inventory in the van.

A storage facility provides the ultimate solution, facilitating the possibility of increasing your stock and giving you the peace of mind of never running out, ensuring a successful business. Storage facilities are ideal for several reasons. They provide:

• Convenience – You can keep items in stock for quick fittings without relying on stock availability in stores.

• Cost-effectiveness – If you ship in parts, buying in bulk saves you money. Storage facilities are also cheaper than office space.

• Security – Secured facilities are better than storing in your home or van.

• Efficiency – For quick fits, or late calls, you do not depend on a retail store’s operating hours as you have your supplies already in stock.

• Timely Delivery – Enables you to be available 24/7.

• Space – Allows you to store bulky products, and you can maintain a broader range of products.

Can a Storage Facility Be Used as An Office?

Depending on location, some storage units have the legal permissions to operate as a small designated office space, though most do not. These would have amenities like conference rooms, restrooms and parking.

If you’re looking for business storage in Middlewich then you need to choose one that not only has the most suitable storage units, but also provide bundled services for clients to make your experience stress-free.

With 24-hour access, the rental terms are very flexible, charging you only for used days in case of cancellation of the contract.

Storage spaces are used to store all sorts of items from drinks bottles, newspaper clippings to a pile of treasure and pure junk.

Behind these metal doors lie bizarre discoveries and treasures whereby competitive bidders fight each other out to buy a storage facility. Here’s a quick look at some of the strangest things to be found in storage units.

1. Lotus Submarine Car

Back in 1989 when a bidder purchased the contents of a storage unit, he was shocked to find the Lotus Submarine vehicle used in a James Bond Movie. The car was auctioned in 2013 and sold for almost a million dollars.

2. Rare Cars

Self storage units are common for classic car storage. In 2009 a supercar was found sat untouched with its expected value close to $9 million. The nephew of the car owner uncovered the rare car which was a 1937 Bugatti 57S.

3. Space Equipment

A NASA rocket and a countdown clock are among the items that a winning bidder bought through an auction.

4. Burt Reynold’s Memorabilia

The storage facility belonging to Burt Reynolds had lots of interesting items such as a canoe, a horse carriage, a letter to his doctor and many more. Imagine finding all of these memorabilia stacked up together.

5. A Human Leg

When Shannon Whisnant purchased the contents of a storage unit he unexpectedly found a human leg. Shocking as it may seem the previous owner of the unit had stored his amputated leg which was to be buried alongside him.

6. Never-Released Michael Jackson Songs

After Joe Jackson failed to pay for his storage rent the contents in the unit went up for auction and they included over 250 never released Michael Jackson songs.

Why Use a Storage Unit

Storage facilities are the perfect space to store any bizarre item, treasure or any unique equipment you may have. They are secure and as long as you pay the rent your contents can last in there for a lifetime.

The Best Storage Unit

Selecting the best storage unit depends on its accessibility, security and cost. Thus when you find a storage facility that meets the above factors then you are good to go.