Category Archives: Business Storage

Red-Hot Reality TV as Storage Hunters Comes to Reading Storage Solutions

Storage Hunters UK

 

TV Channel Dave has selected Reading Storage Solutions as its first-choice location for the launch of Storage Hunters UK, the new reality TV series based on the US smash hit. Airing on October 28 2014, the first episode sees Sean Kelly, the auctioneer and host of the original US Storage Hunters, drive the high-pressure bidding for the contents of abandoned self-storage containers.

Dave expects the programme to attract the same loyal following as the US version of the show, which is currently UKTV’s highest rating programme on Dave; it consistently attracts nearly one million viewers. Tune in to see would-be buyers attempt to outsmart their rivals as they make what they hope will be the winning bid.

As you’d expect, some buyers walk away with the bargain they wanted, while others leave empty-handed, having made one bid too many for what turned out to be a pile of junk. It’s a highly charged situation as the competition mounts and Kelly has his work cut out trying to keep tempers under control. Who makes the proverbial killing? You’ll have to follow the action to find out.

UKTV’s commissioning team was looking for a modern, centrally located self-storage facility with plenty of space to accommodate camera crews, production equipment and vehicles. In Reading Storage Solutions, they found an ideal match, and as the show airs, you’ll see buyers experience the highs and lows of trying to secure that elusive bargain.

To find out who wins and who loses out, tune in to Dave at 8 pm every Tuesday. You’ll get to see a gripping show, filmed against the background of a modern self-storage facility in Reading. What better way to spend an evening? If you want to know more, call us on 0118 94-62-442 – we hope you enjoy the show.

Reading Storage Solutions Ticks the Boxes Recommended by Trading Standards

Counterfeit Goods

Since 2013, the London Trading Standards Authorities (LoTSA) have been cooperating in an initiative designed to prevent the storage of illegal goods in self-storage facilities. In a series of intelligence-led raids in September 2012, counterfeit goods with an estimated street value of £6.5 million were seized from self-storage facilities in the capital, leading LoTSA to introduce the Tick Box code of practice, initially aimed at self-storage businesses in London.

Implicit in the code of practice is a commitment to prevent the storage of illicit goods, including counterfeit items and non-duty-paid tobacco and alcohol – a stance supported by every reputable self-storage business. Reading Storage Solutions is pleased to confirm its full backing for the Tick Box initiative, including adoption of the key recommendations of the code of practice.

At RSS, we offer all our customers peace of mind together with a secure facility in which business and domestic storage activities comply not only with industry best-practice but also full extent of the law. To find out more and to download a copy of the code of practice, visit the Tick Box website.

Self-Storage Units – What Should I Expect?

At Reading Storage Solutions, we cater for both domestic and business customers, recognising that their needs may be very different. Short-term, flexible self-storage is often best suited to homeowners needing a temporary home for furniture, household goods or seasonal items. Business users often require longer-term arrangements, although the same degree of flexibility and affordability is available as customer needs dictate.

You should expect a secure facility with easy access for authorised users seven days a week; RSS offers drive-up access to all our container-storage units, allowing easy loading and unloading for all types and sizes of load. There’s ample parking for your vehicle while you’re accessing your unit, and you can also store trailers, caravans and boats on-site by prior arrangement.

Where’s the Catch?

There isn’t one, though don’t just take our word for it – ask our customers. We pride ourselves in the level of repeat business from satisfied customers, and we’d be pleased to add you to our client list. Whether you have a few things that are cluttering up your home or a complete container load of business items, we can satisfy your storage needs with a minimum of fuss.

So if you need to clear yourself some breathing space, take a look at secure self-storage from Reading Storage Solutions. There are very few things we can’t store – take look at our FAQs if you’re not sure. Call us today to find out more. You could be enjoying that extra space in no time.

Self-Storage with Office Space – A Marriage Made in Heaven

Self-Contained Office Space

Business start-ups are getting leaner and leaner – a trend first noted in the U.S. but now widely reported in Britain. Business premises are adapting to suit and Reading Storage Solutions is among the early UK adopters. Like the state-of-the-art SURF (Start Up Really Fast) units recently opened in Seattle, Washington, we now offer our customers both storage and office space on a single site.

Convenience and flexibility are top of the list for most start-up business owners, with cost not very far behind. Our new, affordable and well-equipped offices are fully modular, and are based on a 20-ft by 8-ft floor plan, suitable for two people. Our exceptionally competitive prices are inclusive of insurance and high-speed internet, and you get all the flexibility that comes with our existing self-contained storage units.

Which Comes First – Storage Unit or Office Space?

Today, it really doesn’t matter – you can have either (or both) on the same site at Reading Storage Solutions. Close to Reading town centre and with ample parking, you get maximum flexibility with minimum fuss. If you want comprehensive details, visit our sister site, Reading Office Solutions, where you’ll find everything you need to know about our new self-contained offices in Reading.

In the excitement of moving into your new office, don’t forget your self-storage arrangements. Many of our customers are finding that their storage needs grow with their businesses, and we’re pleased to see increasing numbers of our secure container storage units occupied by successful companies. Increasingly, new customers arrive at our reception desk after being recommended by friends who already occupy one of our units – and recommendations don’t get much better than that!

Why Self-Storage?

In a nutshell, it’s hard to find better value for money – with the added bonus of exceptional flexibility. Whether you need business storage or personal storage, you can rent as little as 80 square feet of space for a period as short as a week. You can store the contents of your house or your warehouse – it’s all the same to us. We do have a few simple rules about what you can store, but common sense is usually all that’s needed.

Insurance for your possessions while they’re in store comes as standard with our simple agreements, and you can generally get same-day access as soon as the paperwork is completed. So, if suddenly realise you need a little extra work space or an extra store-room or two, just let us know. Reading Storage Solutions will have you sorted before you know it. Call us today to find out more.

It’s Business As Usual Thanks to Self-Contained Storage

Start-Up Business Self-Storage

What do Britain’s largest online sex-toy retailer, the UK’s first specialist retailer of alcohol-free drinks and a leading international provider of commercial kitchen-safety systems have in common?

There’s a simple answer, but one that should have any budding entrepreneur thinking:

They all relied on self-storage during the start-up phase of business – and Filta, an American company that pioneered an innovative system for recycling cooking oil from commercial premises, continues to do so today. Every day, thousands of entrepreneurs around the globe make use of flexible, cost-effective self-storage to get their businesses off the ground. Why not join them?

The Toyshop with a Difference

Sex-toy retailer Lovehoney, which took its first order in April 2002, is now expanding worldwide, but can trace its origins to a small, unheated self-storage unit in Bath. The founders had very limited start-up capital and no experience of running an online business, so minimised their risk by following a low-cost route.

A flexible, affordable self-contained storage unit ticked all the boxes for the company’s distribution set-up, with the added advantage not only of being cheap, but also being exempt from business rates. The absence of heating and electricity presented some challenges, but the unit served Lovehoney’s purpose exceptionally well.

Drinks Without a Kick

In 2006, The Alcohol-Free Shop started life as a two-person business operating out of a 100-sq-foot self-storage unit in Manchester. The husband-and-wife owners spotted a niche for a specialist online retailer supplying health-conscious consumers with de-alcoholised wines and beers.

Keeping the financial risk of their new business to an absolute minimum was essential, and self-storage provided the ideal premises for their packing and despatch department. Within weeks, The Alcohol-Free Shop had grown into a larger operation, and continued to expand into bigger storage units during the following year. Today, it occupies a 12,000-sq-foot warehouse a few miles from its original premises.

Self-Storage for Your Start-Up Business

Reading Storage Solutions provides you with the same self-contained, easy-access self-storage, giving your business space to grow without breaking your budget. You also get complete flexibility if your needs change at short notice – either way. Our business-storage packages now include self-storage insurance at no extra cost – one less headache for a growing business.

Call us to find out more about our long-term and short-term storage units in Reading, complete with self-storage insurance – you won’t believe how easy it is to get your business off the ground!

Self-Storage Insurance Now Comes as Standard

If you’re thinking of doing without insurance on your property while it’s in store, think again. You not only need to protect yourself against the cost of replacing your goods if they are stolen or damaged, but to consider other possibilities. Extreme weather, fire and badly-driven vehicles are only a few of the causes that can cost you dearly.

Well, you’re in luck – Reading Storage Solutions’ new self-storage insurance arrangements mean that your possessions are covered for a whole range of risks while in store, including fire, flooding, malicious damage and vermin attack. You can view a copy of the policy here.

Natural Disasters

Flooding is the UK’s second-highest natural disaster risk (flu epidemics top the list) and with recent episodes affecting many areas of Britain in 2007, 2009 and 2012, protecting your property should be a priority. While we take suitable precautions to avoid everyday risks, you can’t afford to dismiss the possibility of extreme weather.

Less common, but equally – if not more – destructive are severe storms. While the Great Storm of 1987 may not be a regular occurrence, that’s no consolation if you’re left with a pile of debris sitting where your belongings used to be.

Quick and Simple

Insuring your property while it’s in storage is simple and you don’t have to let us know in advance about your goods. When you arrive to deposit your property, just tell us what you’re storing, how much it’s worth and sign our standard storage agreement. You can store goods with a value up to £5,000 in any single container.

Our policy is underwritten by Lonham Marine Underwriters, specialists in storage insurance of all types. For most items, replacement is on a new-for-old basis, although some exceptions apply – please ask us for details.

I Want to Know More

If you’re running out of space, whether at home or at work, self-storage could well be the answer. You get a generous amount of space at modest cost, and complete flexibility to change or terminate your agreement at short notice. Reading Storage Solutions now has one of the most comprehensive packages in the industry, providing self-storage insurance at no extra cost.

RSS offers practical, affordable storage facilities for short-term or long-term use, and there are only a few sensible restrictions on the type of goods you can store. Remember – there’s no extra paperwork and no fuss.

Call us to find out more about our low-cost storage units in Reading, complete with self-storage insurance – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create that extra bit of space in your home or office.

3 Popular Things To Do With a Self-Storage Unit

Storage for Old Toys

Do you think that self-storage is only for people wanting to store furniture while they wait to move into a new house? Think again – several national newspapers have recently reported on some of the more unusual uses for self-storage units around Britain, and you may find it hard to believe some of them!

Things We Just Can’t Throw Away

Keeping unused possessions with great sentimental value comes high on the list for many families. The Daily Telegraph reported a survey of storage unit users that highlighted old toys as one of the most common things to be found in a self-storage unit. Scalextric tracks and collections of vintage comics are particularly likely to be kept because of the memories associated with them.

Hot on the heels of toys come old clothes – because they either don’t fit or have fallen out of fashion. Clothes often have a powerful association with significant life events, and many an outfit worn on a first date, to a wedding or to some other special event can be found in one of the UK’s self-storage units. According to the survey, a wedding dress is the item of clothing most likely to be kept for years after the event.

Space for Making a Living

Small business owners and hobbyists account for a growing proportion of Britain’s self-storage users, according to The Independent and The Guardian. In the former category, both papers report the success of a highly popular martial arts gym housed in a Reading storage unit, while other commercial ventures include a bird-keeping supply business, a distributor of used prosthetic limbs and a music academy.

Hobby enthusiasts are to be found in storage units across the country. Music rehearsal venues are popular, and at RSS we know of several local groups that use self-storage for lighting and other stage equipment. You’ll also find fantasy adventure enthusiasts who keep role-play costumes in their units, dancers with makeshift studios at a fraction of the cost of a professional facility and volunteer groups with all types of equipment.

I Need More Room …

If you recognise yourself in one of these categories, or if your home is just that bit too small for all your “stuff”, self-storage could well be the answer. You get a generous amount of space at modest cost, and complete flexibility to change or terminate your agreement at short notice.

RSS offers practical, affordable storage facilities for short-term or long-term use, and there are only a few sensible restrictions on the type of goods you can store. All our units offer seven-day access during normal opening hours, and you can drive right up to your unit for easy loading and unloading – we accommodate cars, vans and small trucks.

Call us to find out more about our low-cost storage units in Reading – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create that extra bit of space in your home.

Downsizing Your Business? Self Storage Can Help

Downsizing

You may not like it, but for most business owners there comes a time when you need to cut back. It may be the recession, a seasonal downturn or simply bad luck, but when you have to downsize, it’s never fun. Fortunately, you can use self storage to avoid having to dispose of hard-earned business assets at fire-sale prices.

Why Has Downsizing Become So Common?

Since the early days of the 2008 financial crisis, businesses of all sizes have been under increased pressure. For many, reduced cash-flow coupled with an inability to borrow money has lead to failure, while others have anticipated the difficult trading conditions and adjusted the scale of their operations to suit.

The upsurge in online buying and selling has also contributed to the level of high-street failures and cut-backs, with the same general result – a need to reduce costs and streamline operations. For many businesses, this means fewer staff and smaller premises, and often results in the disposal of stock and equipment that no longer has a home.

In practice, this often means that when you are in a position to grow again, you’re unable to do so without replacing those assets that you disposed of at rock-bottom prices. At Reading Storage Solutions, we regularly talk to business owners facing tough decisions who desperately want to keep their companies alive.

How Can Self Storage Help My Business?

For many businesses, a modestly priced self-storage unit can solve a whole load of problems and take the strain off your shoulders. RSS offers practical, affordable storage facilities for short-term or long-term needs, and we allow you the flexibility to upsize or downsize at short notice as your requirements change.

If you simply want to move the bulk of your stock off site in order to save money on business rent and rates, then commercial self storage is the answer to your prayers. All our units offer seven-day access during normal opening hours, and there are only a few sensible restrictions on the type of goods you can store.

We offer low-cost, monthly payments for businesses that may be short of cash, allowing you to spread the cost of storing your property over the full term of your agreement, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by our pricing. You can also drive right up to your unit for easy loading and unloading – we accommodate cars, vans and trucks.

I Want to Know More …

If you need to downsize and you don’t have enough space in your new premises to store your stock or your business equipment, call us to find out more about our low-cost storage units in Reading. Join our many satisfied customers, and we’ll make sure that your business doesn’t have to get rid of its assets just for want of space.

Self-Storage Suits eBay Entrepreneurs

eBay Storage

Building a business using self-storage isn’t every entrepreneur’s dream, but it’s becoming more and more common as the online marketplace continues to grow. The latest group to benefit from the flexibility and affordability of the humble self-storage unit are people buying and selling online, particularly those using the power of eBay to make money.

What the Average eBayer Needs

Active eBayers tend to fall into one of two categories – traders use eBay’s high-tech platform both to buy and sell, making a margin on the sale of earlier bargain purchases, while resellers distribute a range of products in one of many specialist niches that include toys, hand tools, memorabilia and gadgets.

In either case, as the business grows, so does the amount of stock that needs to be stored and shifted. Both trading and reselling depend on having the right items to sell at the right time, and you can’t do that without keeping a supply of goods available – but not everyone has the space to do just that.

Space is essential for resellers, as their business depends on buying products cheaply in bulk and selling them in smaller quantities at higher prices. Depending on the type of product, a consignment from an overseas supplier may be as much as several pallet-loads – not quite the thing for your front room!

What Self Storage Offers

Self storage solves the average eBayer’s problems at a stroke, offering great flexibility at a modest cost and providing the space that’s needed when it’s needed. At Reading Storage Solutions, we allow customers to upsize and downsize at short notice, meaning that you don’t have to continue paying for a large unit once your stock runs down.

Convenient access to your goods is another real advantage offered by self-storage companies; in Reading, we believe our package is unrivalled. We provide unrestricted access seven days a week during normal opening hours and at other times by prior arrangement, so you can deal with your eBay shipments and receipts whenever it suits you.

You’ll also find that renting a self-storage unit solves another problem that eBayers frequently encounter – disruption caused by deliveries that involve large commercial vehicles. Most people find that their neighbours aren’t too keen on dodging trucks, but our units provide drive-up access for cars, vans and lorries, making it straightforward to receive shipments in pallets or large crates.

What Do I Do Next?

If you buy and sell on eBay or any other online platform, and you’re finding that you don’t have enough space at home to store your stock, call us to find out more about our low-cost storage units in Reading. Join our many satisfied customers, and we’ll make sure that your business doesn’t suffer for want of space.