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Why is Self Storage Booming in the UK?
Recent figures suggest that there are now as many as 1,500 self storage sites across the UK, and that they have never been more popular. It’s reported that usage is up almost 9% year on year, and more than three-quarters of the available space has been rented out.
Here we look at some of the principal reasons behind this industry boom – and how Hamiltons Removals’ Safe N Stored sites offer secure storage space in the heart of East Anglia. We are members of the Self Storage Association UK (SSAUK), underlining our commitment to high standards.
Properties Are Too Small
The average household size in the UK is 2.4 people, larger than those in Germany and France, and yet our homes are among the smallest in Europe. The result? We don’t have enough space to put all our possessions, and yet we often can’t bear to part with them.
In the UK, buying a new home or moving to a larger rental property might not be an option because of the cost. Using a local storage facility effectively gives your home an extra room, however – and the prices shouldn’t be prohibitive. Prices of our Safe N Stored storage rooms at our Harleston site start at around £65/month, while you can rent a storage container at our Aldeby for as little as £52 a month.
A Good Temporary Solution
Figures in the SSAUK’s annual report show that the industry’s facilities are well used by people undergoing major changes in their lives.
For instance, divorced or separated people are twice as likely to use self storage as other groups. Storage is also in demand from those who are moving house– almost one in four people use it as a temporary solution while they get their living accommodation sorted out. Equally, people redecorating or adjusting to life with a new baby also find the additional short-term space welcome.
Choosing storage with flexible terms means you won’t be tied down for a long period of time, so once you have found your new home, or finished painting the rooms, you can simply move all your possessions back in.
Ease of Access
As the industry is now booming, more than two-thirds of people only need to travel around 20 miles or less to reach their nearest storage unit. Our Safe N Stored sites are ideally situated for customers in Norfolk and Suffolk, including Diss, Harleston, Beccles, Bungay, Stradbroke and Dickleburgh.
Our sites also offer high levels of security, while also ensuring that customers can get to their possessions as and when they need them. For instance, at Hamiltons’ site in Aldeby, users can drive right up to the storage containers so unloading from your vehicle is much more straightforward. You also get access to your possessions seven days a week. The site is fitted with high security padlocks and is covered by security cameras.
And at our Harleston base, we have around-the-clock CCTV and a security alarm system which is linked to Norfolk Police. Access to your storage rooms is through a personal key fob, while collection and delivery services can also be arranged if needed.
A Good Reputation
You can be confident when using self storage, because the industry is well-regulated. There are strict rules in place as to the kinds of items you can and cannot store. Items such as explosives and weapons, and potentially hazardous chemicals, including gas, paint, petrol and oil are all banned. Any illegal or stolen items, plus cash and currency, are also prohibited.
This high level of regulation and commitment to high standards are reflected in the high levels of popularity self storage companies enjoy with their customers. More than 92% of users say they are satisfied with the service they receive, according to the SSAUK, while well over half (57%) say they are very satisfied.
Safe N Stored with Hamiltons Removals
If you want to rent some secure storage space and live in East Anglia, including north Suffolk and south Norfolk, then Hamiltons Removals are the experts to contact. Our storage containers at Aldeby are ideal for larger items such as mowers, caravans and boats which you might not need over the winter.
The rooms at our Harleston site range from 25sq ft to 200sq ft, so whatever you want to store, we should have the size you are looking for. We also have a shop here, selling a wide range of cartons and other packaging materials.
To find out more about Safe N Stored, follow this link or call us on 01379 855203.
The Most Popular South African Cities to Move to
South Africa is one of the most popular countries to move to, with recent figures estimating that there are more than 200,000 UK expats living here – and almost one in five of these are drawing a UK pension.
For anyone thinking of moving home to South Africa, we at Hamiltons Removals have compiled this list of the cities which are most attractive to expats.
Durban
This is the best South African city to move to, according to the internationally-respected Mercers Quality of Life survey. This ranks places according to their environment, facilities and services, crime and political stability. High-quality shopping and housing saw it placed above its rivals.
There are plenty of other reasons to consider removals to Durban. This east coast city is a great place to soak up the sun – even in winter, the temperature is usually around the 24C mark. There are plenty of Blue Flag beaches if you fancy a swim, and the overall cost of living is among the lowest in the country.
Cape Town
South Africa’s oldest city is also one of the most popular to move to. In 2017, Lonely Planet named it as one of the top 10 cities in the world. The so-called ‘Mother City’ on the country’s south-western coast also enjoys hot summers and mild winters, which means it’s a very outdoorsy sort of place. Hiking, running and surfing are among the most popular ways to keep fit, while rugby, cricket and football are the biggest spectator sports.
Table Mountain towers over the city, offering some spectacular views, but if you are thinking about removals to Cape Town, accommodation is likely to be expensive, particularly in the more picturesque areas. Cape Town, though, does have one of the safest city centres in South Africa, which is reflected in its thriving nightclub scene, and an impressive list of arts festivals.
Johannesburg
Most people consider removals to Johannesburg for economic reasons. Joburg, as it is commonly known, is one of the bedrocks of the South African economy. The city is the centre of the country’s mining industry, and it also has a thriving financial services sector. Joburg is more affordable than many of the other South African cities, particularly when it comes to property prices.
The city offers probably the best shopping in the country, with enough high-quality malls to cater for all tastes. Nature-lovers can check out the city’s botanical gardens and its zoo. If you prefer to see animals in the wild, then the famous Lion Safari Park is just 45 minutes away. The city does have high crime rates, but the worst areas are generally those which expats are unlikely to venture into.
Port Elizabeth
Nicknamed ‘The Friendly City’, Port Elizabeth is well known for its welcoming attitude to newcomers. It’s also referred to as ‘The Windy City’ because of its frequent south-easterly breezes, but as it also gets an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, this isn’t too much of an issue. It’s also a great place for families to move to. The Boardwalk seaside entertainment complex has shops, a cinema and an amphitheatre, plus a spa.
If your children like animals, they should be able to spot dolphins and whales swimming in the sea off Algoa Bay, while the famous Addo Elephant National Park is within easy reach. The park is home to 400 Cape buffaloes, and almost 50 endangered black rhinos, as well as more than 600 elephants.
Moving Home to South Africa with Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons Removals are the people to call if you are moving home to South Africa. We can send your items via our dedicated service, where you have exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container. You could also choose our groupage option, where your possessions are carefully packed alongside other smaller loads. And if you have any small items which need to arrive urgently, we can send them via air freight.
We can also arrange moves to many other international destinations, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, the UAE and Dubai. Our European removals department can help with commercial and domestic removals to all destinations on the continent, including France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. You can get in touch either by following the link above, or by talking to our friendly, experienced staff on 01379 855203.