Blog
International Removals – BAR Global Shipping Conditions Update for Current Movers
At Hamiltons Removals, we are committed to keeping you informed of the external factors affecting international removals due to the regional conflict involving Iran.
The link below from the British Association of Removers, which we are a member of, was updated on 1st July 2026. It explains the key issues which are affecting current movers, including rising costs due to route diversions, emergency surcharges and delays.
The conflict in the Middle East is continuing to cause disruption to shipping in the area. Some services have been reintroduced using alternative routes; however, these are very fluid and could be withdrawn after initially being reinstated.
The new routes often involve an overland leg and can have high additional costs which vary on a continuous basis, meaning long-term quotes are impossible. Likewise, the rates in place before the conflict started are no longer being honoured by shipping lines, which may see previous quotes from movers increase significantly.
Please note that many other international shipping destinations are affected to varying degrees as well. Please read the document (the link is below) carefully for full details of different destinations and the current issues affecting international and UK moves (not all of which are directly related to the Middle East conflict).
BAR Global Shipping Conditions Update – July 1 2026.
New updates from the BAR will be added to the website as they become available.
If you require more information, please contact us on 0800 246 5622.
Self Storage in 2026 – The Key Trends
This article looks at the main facts and figures from the UK’s self-storage association’s annual report – which reveal that, in spite of various pressures, the industry is continuing to thrive.
There’s also a look at the Safe N Stored Units run by Hamiltons Removals, at Harleston and Aldeby on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.
It will take around three minutes to read.
Although the property market may be uncertain at the moment, there is one area which has shown consistent signs of growth – self storage. The UK’s Self Storage Association (SSAUK) has just released its annual report. Here, Hamiltons Removals take a look at some of the latest trends.
Self Storage Containers in East Anglia from Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we have two Safe N Stored sites, at Harleston and Aldeby, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. These should be able to meet all your self-storage needs – however big or small your possessions are, and whatever your reasons for requiring it.
And as one of the leading East Anglian removal companies, we can also help you move home (or your business) whether you want to relocate within the UK or overseas.
The Key Facts and Figures
The report, which was compiled by Cushman and Wakefield on behalf of the UK’s self-storage association (SSAUK), revealed that:
- More than a quarter of users (27%) need extra storage because there is not enough room at home
- Domestic customers now make up three-quarters of all self-storage users
- UK self-storage industry turnover reached a record £1.3 billion in 2025
- And total UK self-storage space has now reached 67.5 million sq ft.
The study is now in its 19th year and typically draws from responses across the association’s member companies (more than 500 at last count) operating over 3,143 stores nationwide.
The Underlying Trends
The Housing Market – As in previous years, a house move remains the single biggest reason for people needing to use self-storage. Being stuck in a chain, or simply having too many possessions to fit into your new (smaller) home, mean any would-be movers need storage facilities.
Any uncertainty in the housing market – for instance, regarding interest rates – invariably has a direct impact on demand for self-storage.
An Upsurge in Container-Based Storage – In 2025, around 230 new sites opened, with an increasing proportion being external container-based storage (48%). This is particularly convenient not just for businesses, who can use it to store stock or (in some cases) operate from the site, but also for domestic consumers too. In most cases you can drive directly up to the container, and loading and unloading is much more straightforward.
Renters are Staying Longer – The report also showed that increasing numbers of self-storage users are renting their space for longer periods of time. The largest cohort (23.2%) has been in their current unit for between one and two years. However, there is a significantly longer ‘tail’ of users – 9.2% have stayed five to six years, 5.3% for seven to eight years, and 1.8% for up to 10 years.
This reflects the satisfaction with the service provided, and it also provides sites with a degree of certainty over their revenue; however, it does provide operators with the challenge of appealing to new, younger users.
The Increased Age Profile – The 55-64 age group is now the largest user of self-storage in the UK, accounting for around one in three of all renters. Many individuals in this age bracket are empty nesters or divorcees looking to move from larger family homes into smaller properties, flats, or retirement living.
Other Life Events – Other key reasons for needing extra space still include renovations and home improvements, or for dealing with personal bereavements and the associated estate management. These so-called ‘life events’ affect all families at some point in time and mean that, whatever the economic situation, the industry has a stable future.
Hamiltons Removals’ Safe N Stored Sites
We operate two Safe N Stored sites – rooms at Harleston and containers at nearby Aldeby. Both sites are well protected with CCTV (the Harleston site has a direct link to Norfolk Police) to give you additional peace of mind. Both sites are on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, making them ideal for those seeking storage units in the Diss area.
Prices at Harleston start at just over £65 a month (for a 25 sq ft room), and collection and delivery services can be arranged if required. Harleston is also where our shop is located, if you need any high-quality packing materials.
Aldeby prices start at £52 per month for a container which is 4ft 8in long by 7ft 8in wide and 7ft 10in high. The Aldeby site is ideal for storing your boat, caravan, motorhome or trailer, especially during the winter months.
If you would like to know more about either of our sites, call us on 01379 855203.
Five Unusual Facts About Norwich – the Best Place to Live in the UK
This article looks at the city of Norwich, which has just been named as the best place to live in the UK. There’s a closer look at why The Sunday Times reached its conclusion, as well as some unusual and interesting facts about the city.
There’s also a mention of the services provided by Norfolk-based Hamiltons Removals, who offer commercial and domestic moves to the city and the rest of the county.
It will take between three and four minutes to read.
Norwich has just been named as The Best Place to Live in the UK. The city beat off competition from 71 other towns and cities to land the coveted accolade from The Sunday Times. Here we look through the reasons for the award – and highlight five unusual facts about the city which may not have formed part of the judges’ deliberations.
Removals to Norwich with Hamiltons Removals
Norfolk removal company Hamiltons Removals has been helping people and businesses relocate to Norwich for more than three decades. As well as our local knowledge and vast experience, we also offer video surveys, online quotations, packing and unpacking services, as well as dedicated storage facilities in Norfolk. Call us on 01379 855203 to learn more.
Why Did Norwich Win the 2026 Title?
Judges praised Norwich’s vibrant, independent shopping areas, top-tier schools, high-speed internet, and excellent balance of culture and green spaces, offering a high quality of life.
Its historic and artistic legacy were also mentioned – Norwich was England’s first UNESCO city of literature in 2012. And its Castle, which reopened in August last year following a major revamp, was picked out as a cultural highlight.
However, the judges stressed that the city wasn’t rooted in the past as it is also a “creative, contemporary city, with a small-town feel”. But what are Norwich’s other, more unusual, claims to fame?
1. It Has the Longest Balcony in the UK
Norwich City Hall, an art deco building completed in 1938, has what is believed to be the longest balcony in the UK. The Hall itself is the administrative centre of Norwich City Council, and its main frontage, which overlooks the city’s main market, is 280 ft (85 m) long. The balcony itself is 200ft (61m) long.
The balcony is used during Royal visits and other civic occasions, and is usually the centrepiece of any celebrations for the city’s football club when they have won a trophy.
2. It Made the First Rolo
The first Rolo chocolate was produced in Norwich in 1937 by the confectionery company Mackintosh’s. The firm’s Caley factory was located at Chapelfield, where the shopping centre now stands.
Rolo production later moved to Nestlé’s factories in York and Newcastle after the Norwich plant was closed.
3. Its River is Part of a National Park
The Broads National Park, comprising 303 square kilometres of navigable, lock-free waterways, lakes, and marshes, officially includes the waterways leading into Norwich.
Specifically, this includes the River Wensum, which rises between the villages of Colkirk and Whissonsett in North-West Norfolk and flows for approximately 30 miles (50 km) through Fakenham and Norwich before merging with the River Yare at Whitlingham, just east of the city.
4. Its Castle has the World’s Largest Collection of Ceramic Teapots
The Castle’s Twining Teapot Gallery has around 3,000 ceramic teapots. They date from the early 18th century to the present day and come in many different shapes and sizes.
The collection was formed from two major acquisitions: a 1946 donation from Edward Bulwer and the 1992 purchase of Philip Miller’s collection. The collection also includes pieces from the only porcelain factory in East Anglia, in Lowestoft.
5. It has the First Pedestrianised Street in the Country
In 1967, London Street (pictured above) became the first shopping street in the UK to be designated for pedestrians. Many other cities have since followed suit, and further pedestrianisation of Norwich’s streets has continued, more recently with St Benedicts Street and Exchange Street. Following a temporary closure for sewer repairs, the local authorities decided to make the arrangement permanent.
Domestic and Commercial Removals to Norwich with Hamiltons Removals
Whether you are interested in moving house – or your business – to Norwich, Hamiltons will be able to help. We are British Association of Removers (BAR) registered, so you can rest assured that our Norwich removals services are always carried out professionally and to an excellent standard. You can see us in action on YouTube here.
We can help with moves to all parts of Norfolk, including Sheringham, Cromer, Fakenham, Diss and Wroxham, as well as removals to Norwich. For more information about all our East Anglian removals services, follow this link – you can kick-start the whole process on this page, by opting for an online quote or a video survey.
FAQS:
Q: What other places in East Anglia were mentioned in The Sunday Times List?
A: Although Norwich was the overall winner, seven other places in East Anglia were mentioned – Woodbridge in Suffolk, Manningtree, Chelmsford and Saffron Walden in Essex, plus Bedford and Cambridge. Hamiltons Removals offer moving services to all these locations.
Q: Do you offer storage if my new home in Norwich isn’t ready?
A: Yes. Since our headquarters are located on the Norfolk/Suffolk border (Harleston), we offer secure, climate-controlled storage that is perfectly situated for those moving into the city. Our Safe N Stored sites are located at Harleston and nearby Aldeby.
Q: Why choose a local company like Hamiltons Removals over a national chain for your move to Norwich?
A: National chains can underestimate the time needed to navigate the county’s rural lanes or Norwich’s one-way systems. Being local means that we know the shortcuts, the height restrictions, and the specific requirements of the local councils. We aren’t just “passing through” – Norwich is our home county.