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 Some services have been reintroduced using alternative routes; however, these are very fluid and could be withdrawn after initially being reinstated.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.
The Best Places to Move to in the North of England
Andy Burnham’s arrival at 10 Downing Street – and the opening of his “No. 10 North” office in Manchester – has put the spotlight on the North of England. This article rounds up its stand-out towns and cities named in the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live 2026 guide, from regional winner Skipton to Leeds, York, Slaithwaite, Morpeth and Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
There’s also a look at how Hamiltons Removals, a national removal company, can help with removals to the North of England, whichever destination you have in mind.
It will take about three to four minutes to read.
The North of England has rarely had a higher profile. Since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July 2026, Downing Street has opened a “No. 10 North” office in Manchester, as part of his pledge to rebalance power away from Westminster.
If you are considering removals to the North of England, there has never been a better time to look at what the region has to offer. The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live 2026 guide, which judges locations across the UK on schools, transport, amenities and community spirit, named Skipton as the region’s top spot, with Leeds, York, Slaithwaite, Morpeth and Saltburn-by-the-Sea also making the list. Here, Hamiltons Removals takes a closer look at each destination.
Removals to the North of England with Hamiltons Removals
As a national removal company with more than 30 years’ experience, Hamiltons Removals can help with removals to anywhere in the North of England, whether you are moving house or relocating a business. We are British Association of Removers (BAR) registered, and also offer classic car transportation, fine art and antiquities removals, and house clearance services, plus free online quotes and video surveys to help you plan ahead. Call us on 01379 855203 to find out more.
Skipton – The North’s Best Place to Live
Skipton, in North Yorkshire, was named the regional winner in the Sunday Times’ 2026 guide, praised by judges as “properly grounded and strongly connected” to the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. The market town’s strong volunteering culture, including the Rotary Club’s Eco Day and Share Skipton’s community lending scheme, plus its excellent schools and relatively affordable property prices, were also highlighted. Skipton has form, too: Rightmove’s 2026 Happy at Home Index separately ranked it as the happiest place to live in Britain, citing its access to nature, green spaces and friendly locals.
Leeds and York – Yorkshire City Life
Leeds city centre made the list for its youthful energy, five universities and status as the UK’s fourth-largest urban economy, with plenty of job opportunities alongside riverside homes, shops, bars and restaurants within easy walking distance.
York, meanwhile, was praised for its “jaw-dropping” architecture and reputation as a liveable, walkable city steeped in nearly two thousand years of history, with two universities keeping it young and buzzing, and major employers including Nestlé, whose York factory still produces millions of KitKats every day.
Slaithwaite, Morpeth and Saltburn-by-the-Sea
West Yorkshire’s Slaithwaite was recognised for its creative, nonconformist spirit and strong sense of community, with a lively calendar of local festivals. In Northumberland, Morpeth impressed judges with its new leisure centre, thriving choirs, crafting groups and book festival, plus easy access to Newcastle and the county’s best beaches. On the coast, Saltburn-by-the-Sea offers what judges called a “surf and turf” lifestyle, with towering clifftops, England’s most northerly Victorian pier, a water-balanced cliff lift, and a growing scene of independent shops and cafes.
Moving to the North of England with Hamiltons Removals
Whether you are drawn to Skipton’s dales, the buzz of Leeds and York, the character of Slaithwaite and Morpeth, or the coastal charm of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Hamiltons Removals can help you get there. Whether you are looking to move house to Yorkshire, Northumberland, or anywhere in the North of England, get a free online quote on our removals to the North of England page, or call us directly on 01379 855203.
FAQs
Q: What is the best place to live in the North of England in 2026?
According to the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live 2026 guide, Skipton in North Yorkshire took the top spot, praised for its links to the Yorkshire Dales, strong community spirit and affordable property. Leeds, York, Slaithwaite, Morpeth and Saltburn-by-the-Sea also featured.
Q: Is it cheaper to live in the North of England than the South?
Generally, yes. Official ONS data shows London’s average house price fell by 3.7% in the year to May 2026, to around £545,000. By comparison, average house prices across the North of England remain significantly lower, with North West homes averaging around £225,000, Yorkshire and the Humber around £209,000, and North East homes around £169,000. This substantial price gap is one of the main reasons people relocate north for work, retirement or a change of lifestyle.
Q: How much does it cost to move house with a removal company?
Costs vary with distance, the size of your home and the level of service you need. Hamiltons Removals offers free online quotes and free video surveys, so you can get an accurate, no-obligation estimate for your move to the North of England before you book.
*all information correct at the time of writing
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.