In today’s climate the cost of living in urban areas has increased and although there is still a high demand for urban living space, the increased difficulty to obtain mortgages from banks has stagnated the property market, forcing people to stay where they are, sometimes in inadequately sized properties.  Because of the inadequate space people are now discovering the benefits of self storage to keep all their valuable and fragile belongings in.

Historically at home the most popular places to store items in are garages, loft space and garden sheds.  Apart from being less secure, these areas can themselves soon become cluttered over time, and whilst they may be convenient for small items needed day to day, larger and more valuable items such as furniture and antiques may soon become damaged and loose value.  Therefore people have found themselves asking “Now where can we store?” the answer being to opt for self storage.

An important factor of storing your belongings is the question of security.  Though we all believe our homes are a secure place and that our belongings are safe, it is highly unlikely that home security will provide the same level of security offered by a specialised self storage facility, such as CCTV, access control, police monitored alarms and security patrols etc.

Self storage is the ideal place to store those seasonal articles and hobby items such as Christmas decorations, golf clubs, winter garments, jet skis, canoes, patio furniture, bikes etc, which you only need access to at special times of the year and could be kept in a storage unit. 

As each generation collects and inherits more and more belongings, the need for space increases.  Inherited items may not necessarily have any value other than sentimental, but due to their age or style do not fit in or match your modern décor.  Using your self storage unit these items can be kept safe and cared for, to be passed to and used by future generations.

Before hiring a self storage unit try to get as much information about the company as possible.  For example is the facility a member of the self storage association?  What security measures are offered?  What access is allowed?  Are trucks and trolleys provided?  Can packaging materials be purchased from the store?  And when obtaining a quote for storage establish whether or not the price includes Value Added Tax (VAT) and insurance, and what, if any, discounts are available for multiple unit hire or long term hire.  

Self storage companies offer an ideal solution to your storage problems, which in turn may improve your living conditions and lifestyle.

To locate your nearest Self Storage facility visit the Self Storage Association (SSA) website www.selfstorageassociation.co.uk , part of the Federation of European Self Storage Associations, (FEDESSA), to obtain a list of members, or simply carry out a web search via a search engine, for your area.

•  Savvy consumers in Burntwood, Cannock, Lichfield, Tamworth and surrounding areas, use self storage as stop gap until market picks up.
• Spare rooms used to raise money - £4,500 p.a. average  **

Acme Self Store Limited based in Burntwood have noticed that as local house prices continue to fall and selling a house becomes more difficult, people are turning to self storage to store unnecessary items that are cluttering their rooms.  This enables them to “stage” their home more favourably to a prospective buyer,   placing them in a stronger position to secure a sale over a similarly styled and priced house.

Andrew Dodd, Director of Acme Self Store Limited, comments “self storage is really beginning to take off.  The slow-down in the housing market has led consumers to turn to self storage to securely hold their items whilst they are either waiting until the housing market picks up when they are able to take advantage of cheaper house prices, or to put themselves in a better bargaining position by breaking a chain or enabling them to move swiftly.”

These findings are also highlighted in a report from the UK’s Self Storage Association and Intel which shows that during the recent down turn in 2008, the self storage industry remained resilient with the British public spending a record £360 million on self storage in the UK.  During the year, the industry also executed its ambitious expansion plans by adding 2m square foot of available space (c 10% growth in space).

Other influencing factors could be attributed to people putting their belongings in storage to allow them to rent out a spare room in their house in an effort to raise some money to help pay the mortgage.  An average cost of renting room out in the UK was £375 a month *, generating £4,500 a year which is a significant contribution towards mortgage repayments.
The Mintel report highlights how lifestyle factors, such as when couples move in together, also raises the use of self storage as people store duplicated items.  This pattern continues until they can afford to buy or rent a space suitable for their needs.

Andrew Dodd continues; “necessity is the mother of invention and when people’s backs are against the wall at challenging times such as recession, it is amazing how resourceful they can be.  Self Storage has clearly become a viable alternative for people looking to most effectively use their space and as such you can see patterns like this begin to emerge.”

Acme Self Store Limited opened in Burntwood in 2002, and has since expanded into two further units located on Ring Road, Zone 3 Burntwood Business Park, Burntwood, Staffs, WS7 3JG, with storage units varying in size from 5m cube lockers to 500 square foot units, rental prices start from £5 per week.  All prices quoted include VAT and insurance, with no deposit payable.  Acme also offers a wide variety of discounts complimented by a collection / removal service and packaging materials.

For further information telephone 01543 675043 / 01827 210077 or email info@acmeselfstore.co.uk or visit our website www.acmeselfstore.co.uk .
* Figures from www.easyroommate.com
Dept of Communities and Local Government House Price Index: UK Figure1: UK annual house price rates of change (all dwellings). http://www.communities.go.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/hpi052009