Category: Self Storage

As we go into the month of November, we are officially on the run down to Black Friday and Christmas and it is essential for businesses to make the most of this busy time of the year.

Black Friday has turned into a massive day in the UK since 2014 and £1.23 billion was spent on Black Friday in 2016. It is crucial for small businesses to have plenty of stock, particularly popular items, available to ensure maximum sales and profit. With customers having plenty of other options to buy what they want, they are not going to wait around while you reorder.

However if you are a small business your premises may struggle to house all the extra stock making your stock room overcrowded and difficult, even dangerous, to use. Plus there is the added risk of products getting damaged.

However there’s an easy solution to toppling piles of box, take advantage of a flexible short term business self-storage unit.

Spaces and Places offer a perfect solution for small businesses that require extra storage.

  • They provide affordable storage in 3 locations across the North West.
  • Rental agreements are on a short term or monthly basis
  • There are various ways to pay
  • There are different sizes of unit so you won’t be paying for space you don’t require.
  • Storage is dry and clean in steel containers.
  • Your stock is safe and secure, we have 24/7 CCTV security.
  • You can have access to your unit at any time.
  • Once your stock is organised in your unit, you’ll be able to locate individual items with ease.

An additional bonus is once the festive period is over, it will be easy to see what stock is left and organise it for the January sales.

If you need extra storage to hold your merchandise, contact Spaces and Places and secure a unit today.

 

 

More and more people are working from the comfort of their own home, whether it is to avoid the traffic during rush hour, working around other commitments or to cut business overheads, there are undoubtedly benefits to working from home.

Even though there are benefits, there are also a number of downsides as well to consider:

  • Lack of space
  • Constant distractions
  • Unable to separate your home life from your work life
  • Lack of discipline
  • Procrastinating

What if we told you there is a low-cost alternative?

Over the past few years, more and more people have noticed the benefits of running their business from a storage unit.

Having your own business space outside of your home without taking out a lease or setting your business back with more overhead costs are benefits which are hard to ignore.

Start-up businesses, seasonal businesses, commercial and eBay traders are just a few companies that are drawn to the strengths storage units possess, as they are not tied into long leases and if business is slow, all they have to do is give one week’s notice to vacate.

Along with the financial benefits, the extra space, flexibility and security are added bonuses.

Working from a self-storage unit

How you use your storage unit is completely up to you. With access 24/7, seven days a week, you can come and go as you please.

Whether your ultimate aim is to store business documents, merchandise or to separate your business from your life at home, the possibilities are endless at Spaces and Places.

Have a look through the different business storage options we offer, or if you are unsure of which sized unit would best suit you and your needs, get in touch with your local Spaces and Places who will gladly answer any questions you have.

When moving in with a friend or partner, you will be faced with a few responsibilities and realities that you are not used to, especially if you have lived with your parents the majority of your life.

For the most part – you will be filled with excitement and looking forward to this next chapter in your life, but to make your big move work, follow these tips and prepare yourself for what’s to come!

Add your own touch

When moving in to a new place, you have a blank canvas waiting for you to add a personal touch. With your new roommate, you can make decorating decisions together and decide how to create your dream home.

What’s your role?

When you move in together, one of the first things which should be on your to-do-list is figuring out who is responsible for which roles. Taking out the bins and household chores can cause arguments if you feel you are doing more than your roommate. Avoid an argument by deciding who does what and when the chores have to be completed.

Finances

There will be a few bills which have to be paid monthly and on time. Understanding how much each of you owe will avoid awkward/ touchy conversations further down the line.

Personality traits

When you live with somebody, you will learn a lot about them that you did not know before you moved in together. Whether they have a habit that irritates you, or you feel they are not pulling their weight, make sure to air these concerns. By talking and communicating you will prevent an argument brewing.

Space

You may end up with two of the same items, whether it be sofas, cutlery or chairs, having too many items can make your new place look cluttered and untidy.

Instead of using up your spare room or garage with these items, keep them safe and secure in a storage unit and use your new-found space to create something you both agree on – a spare bedroom, games room or a library are just a few inspirational ideas.

With 24/7 access to secure units throughout the North West, Spaces and Places make self-storage easy and affordable. Get in touch today.

Working from home has increasingly become much more common. However it can be difficult to stay focused on your work and not become distracted by friends dropping in for a coffee or household chores, like popping the washing on. So to help ensure you are as productive as possible we have put together a few tips to create the perfect work environment within your own home.

Location

Not matter whether you are working in an office or at home your work area should be comfortable, quiet and have lots of natural light. It is important to be away from distractions so you can get on with work but try to pick a room or area in the house where you can ‘shut work away’ at the end of the day. It should also be spacious enough to accommodate all your work requirements.

Organisation

Keep all your documents and stationery in drawers or cupboards and have an ‘in tray’ on your desk to store documents you are currently working on. A clutter free space will help you keep calm and concentrate on the task at hand; essential for when you’re on a deadline for work.

Get creative

Make your work space somewhere that will stimulate and inspire you to be more productive. Personalize the area with posters, pictures or plants to make your home office a space you want to spend time in.

As your business grows and develops you may require extra space for storing products or documents, but it may not be practical to allocate more space in your home. A self-storage unit could be the perfect solution. At Spaces and Places, we offer affordable, flexible and practical solutions for any business; – choosing and using a self-storage facility with us couldn’t be easier.

So, if you work from home and are looking for extra space, get in touch with Spaces and Places.

As another academic year comes to an end many students will be moving out of halls of residence or rented properties to move back home for the summer holidays.

However there will be endless amounts of things that will need to be cleared out of your term time home. For example:

Winter clothes,

Bedding and Towels

Kitchen equipment like pots, pans, crockery and cutlery

Books and files

Computer

Electrical equipment like a TV, a sound system, a toaster, a microwaves and a kettle

Small items of furniture like a bookcase, a small chest of drawers or an office chair.

The problem is where is all this stuff going to be housed over the summer?

Mum and Dad won’t want it cluttering up their home, plus there is the logistics of moving it from your term time residence to home only to move it back in a few months’ time. If you move it into your accommodation for next year you will have to pay rent on that property during the summer plus how safe will it all be left in an empty for possibly up to 3 months.

The best solution is to put all your belongings into a self-storage unit.

If you are at a University in the North-West for example- Manchester, Salford or UCLAN Spaces and Places self-storage facilities in Manchester can offer you the perfect solution. Spaces and Places also have facilities in Nuneaton – which is ideal if you are studying at Loughborough, Coventry or Birmingham, and another at Winsford which is suitable for those studying in the Liverpool and Chester areas

Spaces and Places are safe, flexible and affordable. We have various sizes of storage units and you only pay for what you use.  We offer clean, high quality and secure storage units; it is also simple to rent with us and just as easy to give notice. There are no long term contracts, and there are plenty of ways to pay.

If you need a place to store all your term time belongs over the summer get in touch with one of our friendly team at Spaces and Places.

Call: 0800 124 4363 or Email: hello@spaces-and-places.co.uk

Holiday Season is in full swing now and many of us will be looking forward to that well-earned break in the sunshine.

Unfortunately many of us will also have concerns about leaving our home when we go away, wondering if it will be safe and secure.

Here are some tips for keeping possessions safe at home while you go away on holiday.

Make sure that it does not look as if you are away:-

  • Cancel papers and the milk,
  • Use the Royal Mail ‘keepsake’ service to halt your post while you are away
  • Ask a neighbour to go into the house each day to remove free newspapers and leaflets from the front door mat,
  • Mow the lawns before you go away
  • Leave blinds and curtains open
  • Use timers on lamps in different rooms in the house to come on and go off at various times
  • Lock all doors and windows securely
  • Don’t advertise you are away on social media by posting statements and photos about your holiday
  • Check your house insurance policy is up to date and all your possessions are covered
  • Hide small valuables like jewellery in different places around the house or in a small safe

Alternatively if you have a lot of larger valuable items like paintings and antiques you could use self-storage to temporarily hold your treasured possessions while you are away.

At Spaces and Places we value your stuff as much as you do! We pride ourselves on offering great customer service and exceptional security- all our facilities have 24 hour security and access is available at any time.

Spaces and Places are safe, flexible and affordable. We make choosing and using a self-storage facility as easy as possible. We offer clean, high quality and secure storage units, which are simple to rent and just as easy to give notice. There are no long term contracts, and there are plenty of ways to pay

Call: 0800 124 4363 or Email: hello@spaces-and-places.co.uk

At last summer is here and as the weather improves we are all spending more time in the garden, relaxing, gardening or socialising and inevitably our thoughts turn to wheeling out the BBQ.

At the end of this month, 29th May – 4th June we celebrate the 21st National BBQ week. When the first awareness week was held only a few people regularly used a BBQ but the campaign has steadily raised awareness of the enjoyment of having a BBQ and now most households, at some point during the summer, will use a BBQ.

Having the family and friends round for a BBQ is a great way to entertain and make the most of the summer months. But before we start inviting everyone round it is a good idea to check that the BBQ is clean and in good working order! Clean the grill with a mild detergent and a stiff wire brush and if it is a gas BBQ, check that the hoses are intact and the burners are not blocked. Once that is all done, have a great season eating outside as often as possible.

However when it comes to the autumn and the BBQ is longer in use, it and the garden furniture needs to be stored to protect it from the harsh winter weather. However, for many households it is difficult to find an adequate indoor storage space big enough to keep everything clean and safe.

At Spaces and Places we can offer excellent secure facilities that will keep you garden furniture clean and undamaged during the winter.

With our easy to arrange rental agreements you only pay for what you use and you can have 24 hour seven days a week access to you belongings.

Using a self-storage unit at Spaces and Places couldn’t be easier, once summer is over, simply pack up your BBQ and outdoor furniture and put it storage ready for next season.

For more information contact one of our friendly team to discuss your requirements. Get in touch Call: 0800 124 4363 or Email: hello@spaces-and-places.co.uk

As summer approaches, many people who enjoy taking part in winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and ice hockey tend to start thinking about putting their seasonal sports gear into storage until the next season begins. Even those of us who like walking will have bulky winter gear that needs to be put away during the warmer months.

The problem is where to safely store these large expensive items, as most equipment is awkwardly shaped and can be quite unsightly to look at. Most homes do not have the additional space to make storing them at home a practical option. In the Manchester and Cheshire area Spaces and Places self-storage could be the perfect solution.

There are also additional benefits to storing sports equipment in our self-storage unit:

  • Security – your possessions are protected by our secure fencing, security lighting, Cor-Ten steel units, German and Italian manufactured locks, Smart Water and CCTV.
  • Clean – we use high quality steel containers to keep the contents clean and dry.
  • Affordable – you only pay for the time you use the unit, you are not locked into a long term contract and do not have to pay a deposit.
  • 24/7 access – means you can always get to your equipment whenever you want it.
  • Easy to rent- our agreements are simple, flexible and hassle free. When you no longer need the storage simply call us.

Storing your winter sports gear in self-storage until next season  is a practical and cost effective solution which ensures it stays safe and undamaged, whilst leaving your home clutter free.

If you live in the Manchester and Cheshire area and would like to find out more about the services we offer get in touch with Spaces and Places to talk to one of our friendly team.

Call: 0800 124 4363 or Email: hello@spaces-and-places.co.uk

There are many misconceptions about self-storage being out dated, expensive, insecure and limited in their use – in general not a good option, but the reality is very different, there are many businesses and private individuals who find self-storage very useful. We feel it is time to put some of these myths to rest and look at the benefits of self-storage

  • Myth 1 – It’s of limited value.

Many businesses rely on self-storage units for holding stock, equipment and documents. Also individuals use storage units to keep furniture, and valuables that they cannot store at home, or when temporarily living abroad or moving home.

  • Myth 2 – It’s expensive to store belongings.

Storage units come in different sizes and costs are tailored accordingly. However it is worth remembering that the cost of storing valuable antiques, documents and items of sentimental value may be money well spent.

At Spaces and Places we will discuss with you your requirements and provide a storage unit to suit your personal needs.

  • Myth 3 – It’s not safe

People frequently worry that their belongings could go missing or be damaged

At Spaces and Places we take security very seriously. We know our customers want to be assured that their prized possessions are stored securely.

We provide you with the best German and Italian manufactured locks. All of our storage locations have additional security features including secure fencing, security lighting, Cor-Ten steel units, Smart Water and CCTV.

  • Myth 4 – Contracts are either too short or too long

At Spaces and Places we are very flexible to make sure using our self-storage units are as easy and cost effective as possible.We simply take a month’s rental in advance, and any days that are unused are refunded to you, after the unit is vacated, clean and clear. To cancel using the unit you simply give us a call.

  • Myth 5 -It’s difficult to access belongings

At Spaces and Places access to your self-storage unit can be gained 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • Myth 6 – It’s stressful to organise

It may seem difficult to use self-storage; how do you get your belongings to the site? How do you sort all your belongings? What will it cost monthly?

Since 1998, Spaces and Places have provided excellent customer service. If you are unclear about any aspect of self-storage, just give us a call.

At Spaces and Places our aim is to make self-storage easy to choose and easy to use.

Get in touch for further information about Spaces and Places self-storage units. Call 0800 124 4363 or email hello@spaces-and-places.co.uk

Storage units are not just for junk! Many people are now utilising self-storage as an effective way to help run their businesses.

Reasons Why Self Storage Works For Business

Flexibility

From time to time many businesses can find themselves in need of temporary storage. For example when a business relocates or carries out decorating and/or refurbishment. As most self-storage facilities offer short, medium or long term storage options which are rented on a monthly basis; it is easy for businesses to rent a storage unit temporarily. Also sometimes a business may need more or less storage and the flexibility offered by most self-storage facilities allows a business to downsize or upsize as required.

Security

If you need security for stock or sensitive documents, then your office or your home (if you are a home based business), may not be the best place. Many of the best storage facilities invest thousands of pounds in alarms, CCTV, boundary fencing and lighting, meaning that your stored items are often far safer in a self-storage unit. Storage units are a great place to archive documents your business is legally required to keep but take up valuable space in an office.

Affordability

Home based businesses and businesses in small offices benefit from self-storage units as it is a very cost effective way to allow the business to grow and develop without having to relocate. Many self-storage facilities also offer a variety of sized units to accommodate your business as it continues to grow.

Are you looking for a high security, low cost business space? If the answer is yes, then Spaces and Places has everything to meet your needs, and are found in 3 superb locations Manchester, Nuneaton and Winsford.

A whole variety of businesses appreciate Spaces and Places range of high security steel containers and more traditional brick built premises. Both offer high security, but the brick built business units also provide easy-access roller shutters, with ground locks, plus power and lighting, enabling them to be used for a wide variety of purposes.

Get in touch with Spaces and Places to discuss the best options of storage unit for your business.

When starting a business, you need to find a space where you will not become distracted.

It is easy to get up and make a snack if you work in the kitchen and the temptation of a nap in your bedroom can be hard to resist; this is why you need a room where you will not get lose focus and can fully concentrate on running a successful business.

Once you have decided on which room you are going to convert into an office, it is time to remodel. Cleaning, clearing and decorating are the first steps you need to undertake.

If your business is purely online such as eBay, how you decorate depends on your personal preference. If you will be conducting face to face business, decorating your room should revolve around your company colours and vision.

If you own a business, you will understand how easy it is for your working space to become cluttered with important paperwork, merchandise and products. With studies showing that the average person spends around 4.3 hours every week searching for paperwork; being organised is key to business success.

If you do not have space in your home to create an office, or you simply prefer to detach your work life from your home life; turn to self storage. You can turn the space into something special and create a platform to sell products. Have a look at how this eBayer transformed a storage unit at Spaces and Places.

Also, self-storage becomes a necessity for businesses that have gathered paperwork over the years. You will have file cabinets filled with important documents that you can not afford to throw away. These documents naturally take up space and removing them from your office will give you extra room.

Whether you need to store documents or rent a business unit, Spaces and Places are here to answer any questions you may have. With top of the range security and access to your unit 24/7, there is no better time to get in touch and start growing your business today.

Moving in with a partner can be an exciting time. You have taken the next stage in your relationship and have decided that right now is the perfect moment to move in together.

However, before you start to believe everything will run smoothly, prepare yourself for challenges you may face by reading on.

  1. Two of Everything

If you currently both live by yourselves, you will have your own furniture, appliances and electronics. Deciding which items you will bring to your new place may cause a disagreement, and deciding what to do with the remaining items can be a stressful task.

Tip – Store items in storage until you find a buyer.

  1. Different Visions/ Tastes

You most likely have different decorating visions and different tastes. Compromising is key if you want to live peacefully together and create a home which you both enjoy returning to after a long day at work!

Tip – Purchase new items together and create a home you both love.

  1. Initial Clutter

On day one moving in, your new home will be filled with boxes. Place the boxes in the room which they belong and begin unloading. You may have underestimated the amount of space you have in your new home, resulting in your new place becoming cluttered and unappealing.

Tip – Decide which items you will not be needing at this moment in time, and keep them safe in storage until you need them again. Clothing is a great place to start. If it is winter, place all summer clothing in storage until the warm weather arrives and vice versa. This will allow a large amount of extra space in your wardrobe to appear.

Mayhem

If you are used to living alone, sharing space with somebody else may become difficult to begin with. Having complete control over your environment, inviting friends over without consulting anybody or a spur of the moment decision to redecorate are certain aspects you will not be able to do anymore.

Tip – Avoid an argument and make a conscious decision to talk through any changes or future plans with your partner.

Self storage becomes a lifesaver for two people moving in together. For items which you do not want to throw away and furniture you wish to sell at a future date, get in touch with a secure, convenient and trustworthy storage company; Spaces and Places.