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When people move into Spaces and Places self-storage unit they often unload all their possessions by piling everything up and leaving it there.

Which is all well and good until you return to your unit to find something!

Once you have taken the first steps of contacting a self-storage facility, you will then have to select which size unit will suit your needs.

We offer three convenient sizes:

·      20ft x 8ft x 8ft, approx. 150 square feet, approx. 1200 cubic feet.

·      10ft x 8ft x 8ft, approx. 75 square feet, approx. 561 cubic feet.

·      8ft x 8ft x 8ft, approx. 64 square feet, approx. 500 cubic feet.

Only Rent as Much Space as you Need

Don’t be fooled by thinking that bigger is always better. You don’t want to end up with a huge storage unit with only a few boxes stacked in the corner. The key is to be realistic about how much room you need and maximise the space in your unit by organising it properly.

Install Shelving

Get a few heavy-duty stackable units and set them up against one or two of the container walls. From there, you can put anything on the shelves that aren’t easily stackable. This way you are clearing up some valuable floor space and you are taking advantage of the vertical height in the storage unit.

Stack Boxes

Once you have got all the awkward shaped, non-stackable items off the floor you can then think about investing in some sturdy boxes. Use similar sized boxes that will fit together like puzzle pieces.

Organise

With a bit of organisation, even furniture can be carefully stacked in such a way so as to increase and maximise available space for storage. Taking the time to plan and calculate how you will store your items in a storage unit can help you to maximise available space.

Be Selective

Remember that your storage unit isn’t necessarily where you should store everything that can’t fit in your house. Self-storage should not be an alternative to throwing out or donating your unused items. A storage unit should only house what you know you’re going to use in the near future.

If you are not clear about any aspect of self-storage, speak to us. We are here to offer cost-effective and practical solutions to your storage requirements based on our experience of working successfully with both individuals and companies. Get in touch to find out more!

A new survey has shown that the average home in Britain has shrunk by 40% in the last 80 years.

New houses have fewer, less spacious rooms and lower ceilings, leaving many families with inadequate storage room for furniture or even kitchen appliances.

In 1920, the average new large family home had five bedrooms over 3,440 square feet. But today, this has now dropped to just four bedrooms and 2,409 square feet according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

A typical semi has gone from 1,647sq ft. to 925sq ft., losing one of its four bedrooms.

Terraced houses have shrunk from three bedrooms and 1,020sq ft. to two bedrooms and 645sq ft.

2012 report “The Way We Live Now” by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) revealed that people in the UK are lacking space to store even basic items.

The report, based on interviews with a few carefully selected families, revealed that homeowners are not just in need of storage space for seasonal or nostalgic possessions such as an artificial Christmas tree or their old wedding dress, but their homes lack space to store very basic household items.

A vacuum cleaner stored at Mum’s house a 20-minute drive away and supermarket food deals kept in the boot of the car are just two of the real-life examples of how some British households revealed they are constrained by lack of space in their homes.

When there’s hardly even room for a hoover, space for private time begins to seem like an impossible luxury, which could be the reason why more and more people are turning to self-storage as the solution to cluttered personal and business lives.

Self-storage units give you the freedom to store all types of goods, from valuable items to sports equipment to general household furniture and appliances.

Spaces and Paces self-storage units provide you with an option to have:

·      Your own private space

·      Individually alarmed storage rooms

·      24/7 access

·      Sole right to own its key

·      Video surveillance inside and outside

You can be sure you will get the best attention whether you contact us via email, phone or face-to-face and we’ll do everything we can to assist you with your self-storage requirements. You’ll find us in 3 convenient locations – at Nuneaton, Winsford or Manchester – and our dedicated team work hard to make sure you can use our storage facilities with complete peace of mind.

Contact us to find out more!

Self-Storage has its origins rooted in China around six thousand years ago. Archaeologists discovered ancient underground storage areas, where the Chinese used to store their possessions in clay pots.

These pits were monitored, to make sure that nobody could remove any pot or its contents except for their own – it seems the ancients valued the security of their possessions just as much as we do today!

Fast forward a few hundred centuries and Britain refined the concept for the sake of dignitaries who had to be away from home for extended periods of time. Items were arranged to be created and placed into stables – often with watchmen to secure them.

Self-storage as we now know it became popular in America in the 1960s in Odessa, Texas, with a store called “A1 U-Store-It”. It’s founder, Russ Williams, worked in the oil industry for most of his life, however, his real passion was fishing, which he enjoyed in his spare time. Russ needed somewhere to store his equipment that was both safe and out of harm’s way, yet accessible when he wanted to go fishing. He realised others could benefit from somewhere convenient to store their things away from their home, and so bought a group of apartments and garages to rent out space.

Twenty years later and the self-storage craze hit the UK with the first facilities originally appearing in London in the 1980s. Now there are now an estimated 830 self-storage facilities in the UK providing approximately 30.1 million sq. ft. of storage space.

There’s every reason to believe that a number of social and economic factors will continue to drive our need for self-storage units in the future. As expanding families outgrow their homes, and our human nature leads us to buy more stuff than we have room for, more and more domestic and commercial customers will continue taking advantage of self-storage facilities.

It’s not just homeowners or consumers that are using Self Storage units – businesses are as well. 35% of Self Storage users are actually businesses, who use their units to store stock, trade show stands, vehicles and more. Some businesses have even been able to run their entire operation from a self-storage unit!

Self-storage first appeared in the United States during the 1960s and soon engulfed people worldwide. Now more and more people in the UK are storing their clutter, business supplies, treasured possessions and everything in-between.

The craze for self-storage took off in the UK about a decade ago, and since then around 800 vast warehouses have appeared around the country – as many as in the rest of Europe put together. There are now an estimated 830 self-storage facilities in the UK providing approximately 30.1 million sq. ft. of storage space.

Data from the Self Storage Association (SSA) revealed that the average length of stay for all customers increased last year to an average of 41 weeks (it was 37 weeks previously.)

Society has always had its hoarders, however, the increasing proportion of business users during the recession is another reason why average storage time has increased. It is reported that business users stay for 56 weeks while private individuals stay for an average of 27 weeks.

Self-storage is now becoming a necessity for many households, mainly because of cramped modern housing which doesn’t provide enough space for our ever-expanding families. “More people are living alone in smaller homes without garages or attics,” Says Rodney Walker, chief executive of the SSA.

Another survey showed that 90% of respondents reported an inability to part with treasured possessions, such as schoolbooks, birthday cards, photographs, old books or clothes. With no room to store items which hold so many memories for us, many people look to self-storage instead of throwing sentimental items away.

Self-storage can also be the perfect answer for bulkier items such as furniture, sports equipment or large boxes that can clutter up the home and cause great disruption.

So join the craze and get your goods out from under your feet and into self-storage.

Spaces and Places have conveniently located storage facilities in Nuneaton, Winsford and Manchester. Simply contact us to find out more.

If you thought Spaces and Places self-storage was just for business use, think again.

From hoarders to minimalists and DIYers, many types of people look to self-storage as a great option to decluttering their homes or garages.

Can’t move in your garage or open the door to your spare room? Restore some calm into your home and rent a self-storage facility.

Benefits of Decluttering Your furniture will be used for its intended purpose. Just imagine – you will finally be able to eat at the dining table! You’ll have twice the surface space to display family photographs, ornaments and sentimental objects. You’ll finally be able to find your keys/wallet/mobile phone. You will be able to move around your home with ease. Living in a clean tidy environment will do wonders for your health, sleeping pattern and overall quality of life. You home will be more inviting and comfortable for guests to visit. How to begin

Decluttering is more than just hiding away things you don’t use in your spare room or garage.

Declutter your Home with Spaces and Places

eep and organise items that you use on a regular basis, throw/give away your clutter, and put things that you don’t need every day into storage.

Items you may want to store could include:

Sports equipment. Seasonal items (e.g. Christmas decorations, garden furniture.) Furniture. Inherited items. Seasonal clothes/shoes. Items that may be worth something in the future.

Modern houses have less storage space than ever, so as families get bigger and children get older you’ll inevitably find you have less space for rest and relaxation.

Getting a bigger house is simply not an option for many people, so why not rent a little space at a low cost and rescue your home from the endless build-up of jumble and clutter.

There’s no need to worry about leaving your possessions in a Spaces and Places unit. All our facilities offer top quality steel containers, which have wooden floors, fixed ventilation and rubber door seals, so no matter what you want to store, you can be assured that your possessions will be kept safe, secure, clean and dry.

You may also be reassured that we take security very seriously as we know our customers want to be assured that their prized possessions are stored securely. Access to the self-storage facility is via a coded gate, which will allow you to access the units 24/7.

For more information, feel free to contact us to discuss how we could help you.

Many eBay sellers are increasingly appreciating the advantages offered by self-storage facilities. From small businesses selling thousands of DVDs online to mums trying to de-clutter their homes, self-storage offers benefits for everyone.

Save space

Whether you are selling items through eBay or an online shop, it’s likely that your products will end up being stored in garages, spare rooms, or around the house. This not affects the quality of life for you and your family; it can also have a huge impact on the organisation of your business.

Save money

While operating your business from your garage might save on the pennies, you might be losing pounds in sales. Self-storage units mean that you don’t need to be worried about the loss of stock through theft or damage as all goods will be stored in airtight units, which are fully secure and properly insured.

No hassle

Spaces and Places offer the perfect ‘on-demand’ solution to all of your needs as a seller. Our flexible, low-cost business space is great for eBay, Amazon or Big Cartel sellers with cost-effective storage solutions available without any long-term commitments – pay only for the storage you need when you need it and no restriction on access.

Save time

Your Spaces and Places facility can be used as an ideal distribution centre for your business, as you can get stock delivered straight to the unit without spending precious time waiting at home all day for that all-important delivery.

Grow your business

Your self-storage unit will grow and expand with your business. If you find your needs change and you need a larger unit then we offer three convenient sizes:

20ft x 8ft x 8ft, approx. 150 square feet, approx. 1200 cubic feet. 10ft x 8ft x 8ft, approx. 75 square feet, approx. 561 cubic feet. 8ft x 8ft x 8ft, approx. 64 square feet, approx. 500 cubic feet.

No matter how big your storage needs, for today’s businessperson, self-storage can provide the perfect answer for many problems.

We are located in three convenient locations around the UK – at Nuneaton, Winsford or Manchester.

If you would like to request a quote or to find out more about how we could help your business grow, simply contact us today.

There are a number of businesses and individuals who use our self-storage facilities, many of them with very different needs.

Rummaging through a storage unit can be infuriating, and before you know it you’ve spent hours searching high and low for a single item.

No matter how big or small your unit is, you should treat the space just like any part of your home. To help you get your unit in the order we have created a list containing our top tips for organising your self-storage unit.

Plan before you move in–sketch out a rough layout for your storage unit before you move in. While it might seem tedious it will pay off in the future! Check storage boxes– One damaged box could cause a whole host of problems, especially if it’s located near the bottom of a stack. Label everything— This is key for quick identification of what’s inside your boxes. Label your boxes on the top and side. This will save you heaps of time if you need to find a particular box quickly

Keep a list of everything in the unit- an inventory can be helpful to keep back at home, so you can refer to it as needed. It will prove useful when you find yourself wondering where something is.

Consider where you place items—Store valuables, and items that will not be often needed to the rear of the storage unit and items you will need access to toward the front. Place heavier items at the bottom— It might sound obvious, but it is an important tip if you want to avoid getting crushed under a toppling stack of boxes! Store your items in plastic containers— Plastic containers are much more robust and will protect against mould and mildew significantly better than cardboard boxes. Let your stuff breathe!- Leave a small airspace between your stored items and the wall of the storage unit to ensure adequate airflow and ventilation. Leave space to walk—Stack items and boxes along the side of the unit to allow for easy navigation when you visit later. A small walkway from the front of the unit to the back will ensure you can reach every box at any time. Use all available space –utilise the height of the unit and go up to the ceiling if possible with bookcases or cabinetry. This will stop your unit getting over-cluttered at floor level.

If you are in need of reliable and secure self-storage facilities, please contact us.

It has been reported that insurance companies have received around 174,000 claims for damage to homes, cars and businesses amid bad weather over Christmas and New Year. The claims for flood damage are now said to have hit £426m, with more expected, an insurers’ group said.

Having a home or business affected by flood damage can be extremely traumatic, and many people around the UK have been left helplessly counting the costs of the winter flooding, some even being rendered homeless.

While we can’t predict or stop destructive floods, we can provide you with a safe, damp-free space to protect your possessions until the storm passes.

Spaces and Places offer top quality steel containers with wooden floors, fixed ventilation and rubber door seals, so no matter what you want to store, your possessions will be kept safe, secure, clean and dry.

Whether you are looking to store sofas, valuable pieces of furniture, or simply televisions and stereo systems, our storage units come in three convenient sizes so you can store as much or as little as you like.

If you are concerned there may be a threat of flood damage, then simply pack up your belongings and transport them to Spaces and Places. We can meet your short or long term needs with no lengthy contracts or long notice periods, and you can relax knowing that your possessions are secure.

Spaces and Places offer storage facilities at key locations around the UK, including Manchester, Nuneaton and Winsford, so why not call us free on 0800 124 4363 for peace of mind. We can familiarise you with how to hire one of our units, if and when you need it. If you have used a self-storage unit during the recent floods, let us know how you got on by tweeting us@Spaces_Places

Hello everybody,

We have a very exciting announcement to make today! Spaces and Places Self Storage are running our first ever social media competition. To celebrate our first foray into the world of Twitter, we are offering one lucky person a month of storage at our Nuneaton site – for free!

The lucky winner will have the choice of either a 7ft unit or a 20ft self-storage unit, at our Nuneaton site. Our super-secure steel containers are ideal for both business and domestic purposes, and they are fitted with wooden floors, rubber seals and ventilation – so you can be certain that your belongings will be kept in great condition.

So, what do you have to do to win?

It’s simple – all you have to do is like and share our Facebook page or Follow and Re-tweet us on Twitter! If you do both, your name will be entered into the draw twice!

You can find us on Facebook here – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spaces-Places-Self-Storage/228943833783377?ref=hl

And to find us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Spaces_Places

You can read more about our Nuneaton self-storage units here – https://www.spaces-and-places.co.uk/self-storage-units-nuneaton/

Good luck guys!

The Spaces and Places Self Storage team

The Ultimate Guide to Self Storage For Tradesmen

If you’re a tradesman, you know that storage can be a real challenge. Between your tools and materials, there’s never really enough room to store everything. And when you have to take your work on the road, it can be tough to find a place to keep everything safe and secure. That’s where self storage comes in.

Self storage offers an affordable and convenient way to store your tools and materials when you’re not using them. In this blog post, we’ll show you some of the best ways that self storage units are perfect for tradesmen like yourself.

Why do Tradesmen Need Self Storage?

Most power tools and tradesmen supplies come in large, bulky boxes. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have a lot of extra space in your home to store these things.

Even if you do, it’s not always convenient to go out to the garage every time you need something – especially when it’s raining or snowing outside! Not to mention that they can be extremely valuable, not just from a monetary point of view but also as you need them to do your job.

You wouldn’t want to leave your tools and equipment out in the open, where they could be stolen or damaged by weather conditions – but you’ll never have enough space for everything if it’s just sitting around inside! If these things are always going missing from your garage, then self storage units are the perfect solution.

Which Different Trades Can Benefit From Utilising Spaces and Places Facilities?

Bathroom fitters – store everything from complete suits to power tools insecure high-quality steel containers.

Boiler and gas fitters – our airtight, dry and clean storage units are brilliant for storing costly boilers; there is no need to leave them at risk on building sites and refurbs.

Builders – Store stock, materials and tools in our self-storage units. Collect and drop-off to suit with 24/7 access as standard.

Cleaning companies – keep cleaning chemicals secure in our steel container units. Cleaning teams can collect and drop off equipment at a once convenient location.

Electricians – store larger bulkier equipment such as power generators and extractor fans in our secure steel containers.

Landscape Gardeners – our storage units provide the ideal base for equipment and plants, and teams can come and go as they require. Get suppliers to deliver straight into your unit for extra convenience.

Plumbers – use our Manchester, Winsford and Nuneaton self-storage units as a great location for your business.

In Conclusion

A tradesman’s tools are their livelihood. They need to be able to access them quickly and easily, without having to worry about where they’re stored or how much it would cost if the company went out of business.

Utilising self storage facilities like Spaces and Places can help you organise your inventory, cut down on space rental costs, increase efficiency with processes for ordering new stock when necessary, plus more! If you have any questions about our self storage facilities get in touch today.

We are happy that the very lovely Sarah Beeny has returned to our screens with yet another property programme – and we think our Nuneaton storage facilities should feature in her next series!

In her latest series, the Queen of Property TV has been encouraging people to make the most of their current home rather than go to the cost of moving home to increase the amount of space they enjoy. As la Beeny points out, not only is there more mortgage to pay (even if you can get one) but the costs of simply moving are massive once the taxman, Estate Agent and solicitors have had their share. In the series, she has encouraged people to build up, down and out (sometimes all three) to increase the amount of available living space.

At Spaces and Places, we agree – and are dedicated to helping homeowners make the most of their most valuable commodity. For homeowners in Warwickshire, our Nuneaton storage is a cost-effective way to achieve this – no architects, builders or Sarah Beeny required (sorry Sarah).

It’s true that most people tend to outgrow their homes fairly quickly, but much of this is due to the number of possessions they soon collect rather than additions to the household. Whole bedrooms, reception rooms and garages are soon given over to storage. Paying a mortgage for storage is perhaps the most expensive storage option available – especially when there low-cost local Nuneaton storage solutions for people in Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

Modern homes are particularly tight for storage space and flats don’t offer the traditional loft space as a storage option. Cramped houses not only look untidy, but they can be dispiriting places to visit and live in.

If you want to make the most of the space available in your home, talk to us at Spaces and Places Self Storage, Nuneaton. We will talk you through the self-storage options available in terms of space and rental periods. We will be very clear about costs – and can even offer discounts for longer-term rentals. However, there are no long term contracts and we make it easy for you to pay in any way that suits you.

We think that the next time Sarah Beeny wants to help people make the most of their home, she should advise them to give us a call first!

While Christmas is very busy for some businesses, for many December is actually a quiet trading period – so why not use it as an opportunity for that long-delayed clear out and sort some cost-effective self-storage at Spaces and Places.

 

If you can look around your workplace and find a perfectly tidy, airy space with everything in its place you are either very lucky or still dreaming. Even the best designed, ultra-modern offices soon become crammed with stock, samples, documents and equipment which are not used daily but are too important to throw out. Unlike offices in older buildings, storage space in modern offices is at a premium –literally. The high cost of rent makes such space a luxury. But lack of storage space does not mean a lack of stuff that needs storing – and this is when self-storage at Spaces and Places offers the solution.

For businesses in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands we provide cost-effective self-storage solutions with discounts for long term rentals.

Offices crammed full of unwanted items not only look bad, but they tend to have a dispiriting effect on staff – and visitors too. The irony is that it is not necessary – self-storage offers a truly cost-effective alternative. Our self-storage in Nuneaton, Winsford and Manchester offers high-quality steel containers that are ideal for storing most items – including documents and archived material. There is 24/7 access as standard and all the units are ground floor – so storing or retrieving even the bulkiest items is easy!

We also have a number of additional services for longer-term tenants including collections and delivery – so talk to us about your exact requirements and we will create a tailored self-storage solution.

If you are working in a sector – often B2B – which is quieter than usual over the Xmas and New Year period, we suggest this is a great time to declutter the workspace. Recycle (or resell) any unwanted items and store anything you may need for the future. We only need a few days to notice to guarantee you a storage unit. And the best aspect? Returning in the New Year to a clean, clutter-free employee-friendly environment – that’s certain to raise the spirits!