THE EDINBURGH SELF STORAGE BLOG Our Blog http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/rss.xml en-uk http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/blog.asp http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/images/BlogLogo.jpg 139 175 Affordable Housing for Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-24-Affordable-Housing-for-Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-24-Affordable-Housing-for-Edinburgh Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:21:28 +0000 Today has seen mixed views being reported about various aspects of the Scottish economy, but for a change these are mainly positive.  The most recent Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has reported a modest increase in private sector output in the month of November.  Levels of employment were also shown to increase in November, the first time in four months with jobs being created by both goods producers and service providers.  This rise in employment levels differs from the UK as whole which has experienced falling levels of employment over the same period.

More good news for Edinburgh was also announced with Home Scotland giving the go ahead for 80 affordable homes to be built in Kirkliston.  The £9.7 million pound contract between housing association, Home Scotland and Barratt, East Scotland was signed at the end of last week and is hoped to benefit the area greatly.




Construction development on the outskirts of Edinburgh


Over the next 2 years, approximately 610 new homes will be constructed in Kirkliston Village: securing not only affordable housing, but also 90 jobs for the area.  It has been guaranteed that at the very least, 80 of these new properties will fit the affordable housing criteria, as well as being built in accordance with the latest building regulations.  Not only will these properties be affordable to purchase or rent, they will also be very low-cost to run: the energy efficiency of these properties will be at as high a level as possible to ensure running cost remain as low as possible.



Housing Convener at Edinburgh City Council, Paul Edie stated: “This development will bring 81 much-needed affordable homes to the Kirkliston and surrounding area. The homes will meet a range of needs from older people to families and key workers who find themselves priced out of the housing market. Edinburgh is leading the way in the development of affordable housing in Scotland, with more than 1500 affordable homes approved for construction across the city this year.”

This introduction of affordable housing on the outskirts of Edinburgh can be nothing other than positive news for the area.  Many of those who will move into the newly built houses will be able to plan their move well in advance and make the best use of the time available to prepare.  Some people will take advantage of a storage facility where items can be stored until the move is complete and space is allocated to the specific items.  Self storage facilities are also a good place to purchase boxes, tape and bubblewrap, perfect for making a start on the mammoth task of packing.


For more info on November's PMI - click here
For more info on the development in Kirkliston - click here


]]> Another Best Building Award for Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-23-Another-Best-Building-Award-for-Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-23-Another-Best-Building-Award-for-Edinburgh Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:06:24 +0000 It is plain to see why the grandeur of the architecture in Scotland’s capital is held in such high esteem.  For as far as the eye can see, Edinburgh’s skyline is filled with some of the most beautiful iconic buildings in the country.  One of the most well known buildings in the city centre was officially recognised as the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland’s (RIAS) Best Building of 2011: the National Museum of Scotland.



After undergoing a substantial refurbishment to the tune of £47.4m, the building on Chamber Street in the city centre reopened in July to a phenomenal public response.  The team responsible for making the extremely successful refurbishment possible was from Gareth Hawkins Architects.  Judges paid tribute to the “ingenuity” which has drive visitor levels up by means of its “superbly restored spaces.”  
The also added: "The original spatial quality of the building has been brilliantly recovered with a skilful play of light and movement through its spaces.
"All this is achieved with such subtlety that even some expert critics have failed to fully comprehend the care which has gone into its execution."

Director of National Museums Scotland, Dr Gordon Rintoul said: "Gaining this award underlines the huge success of the redevelopment on every level.
"There has been a phenomenal public response to the transformation of the building, the new displays and the work we have done in making the museum more open and accessible.”


Opinion in Edinburgh is Divided


Much emphasis has been placed on historic and iconic buildings in Edinburgh this week with the proposal by the Olympics committee to place the Olympic logo on to the most famous building in the city: Edinburgh Castle.  The rings measuring 8m high by 18m wide has divided opinion in Edinburgh.  Some say it would be highly beneficial to the entire country: an iconic logo on an iconic building.  Others say it would blight the picturesque skyline and such an addition to any building wouldn’t be passed by planning consent in any other situation therefore the Olympics should be no different.



Making changes, albeit temporary ones, to buildings of importance are always controversial.  Whichever way the proposals for Edinburgh Castle’s potential addition are viewed, the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award being given to the National Museum of Scotland is an accolade which is well received.  It is clear to see that Edinburgh remains a clear runner in the high levels of quality architecture to be found in Scotland.

For more info on Edinburgh - Click here
]]> Christmas in Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-22-Christmas-in-Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-22-Christmas-in-Edinburgh Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:34:25 +0000 It’s that time of year again: Edinburgh is buzzing with excitement.  The Christmas events, held throughout the city, are almost upon us.  The “unofficial” signs of the festivities beginning became largely apparent on Monday with the arrival of the Christmas tree on the Mound.  The now world famous Norwegian Christmas tree is gifted every year by Bergen’s Community Council to honour the assistance Scotland provided during WW2.




Edinburgh's Christmas Tree Statistics

  • 66 feet high
  • Weighs over 3 tonnes
  • It took over 3 hours to hoist into place, overlooking Princes Street
  • Careful planning meant it was lifted into place at exactly 1 o’clock with the gun marking its arrival in style.
  • Over 2,500 low energy light bulbs will illuminate it and the city centre for the duration of the festivities


The logistics and planning which have gone into getting the tree to Edinburgh in the first place, not to mention the actual process of lifting it into place, has been a task of great magnitude.  It has taken the co-operation of both cities; Bergen and Edinburgh to ensure the tree arrived and was put in place safely.  The process of decorating it with the vast quantity of lights now begins.  Provided the lights were stored in the correct environment, there should be few issues.  Incorrect storage of electrical items can cause their fragile component parts to malfunction: fingers crossed there are no issues!



The Christmas tree is just one part of an extremely well organised machine that is Edinburgh over the festive period.  There are a whole host of events and attractions to experience between now and the 4th of January 2012.  Below is a brief overview of some of the highlights not to be missed:

  • Light Night 24 November 2011 - George Street, The Mound & St Andrew Square
  • Christmas Fair 24 November 2011 - East Princes Street Gardens, by the Scott Monument
  • Edinburgh's Ice Rink 24 November 2011 - East Princes Street Gardens, by the Scott Monument
  • Christmas Light Switch-Ons 26 November 2011 - Various
  • The Great Edinburgh Santa Run 11 December 2011 - West Princes Street Gardens

The above list is by no means exhaustive: the events being held in Edinburgh over the Christmas period is endless and none should be missed.  So, if you are out and about in the centre of Edinburgh over the next 4-5 weeks, make sure you at least pay a visit to the Christmas fair and sample some of the delights on offer.

For more info on the tree's arrival - The Edinburgh Reporter
For more info on Edinburgh's Christmas events - www.edinburghschristmas.com

]]> Edinburgh Sets The Property Price Benchmark http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-21-Edinburgh-Sets-The-Property-Price-Benchmark http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-21-Edinburgh-Sets-The-Property-Price-Benchmark Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:43:50 +0100 There has been much discussion about the UK property market recently, particularly its demise.  However, little has been said about the actual amount of money properties command.  Last week the BBC highlighted the growing strength of exclusive properties being sold north of the border, namely Edinburgh.

The number of homes being sold in Scotland in excess of £1 million is currently at its highest number since the height of the property boom way back in 2008.  Research conducted by Lloyds Banking Group implies that over 60 properties sold in the first 2 quarters of 2011 exchanged hands for £1m plus.  Over all, there has been a 12% drop in the volume of property sales in Scotland since 2008, the high-end sales of over £1m have shown a 22% rise in the first half of 2011.  

Housing economist from the Bank of Scotland, Suren Thiru said: "The number of homes sold for at least a £1m has increased significantly over the past year in marked contrast to the rather more subdued picture across the rest of the housing market.
"Strong demand from wealthy cash rich buyers both in Scotland and further afield, as well as limited supply of such properties, has helped to boost the level of activity at the very top end of the housing market."


Edinburgh Leading The Trend


It has been estimated that there are approximately 3,300 homes in Scotland worth over £1 million, with half of these being in Edinburgh.  Edinburgh also boasts the highest number of sales, over the £1m mark, outside the southern counties of England.  The street in Edinburgh where the most expensive property is located is, Belmont Drive.  The area near Murrayfield stadium has an average property value of nearly £2.3 million.



More recent figures out today also suggest property prices in the Aberdeenshire fishing village of Peterhead have experienced an increase of 160%.  The oil industry has been instrumental in orchestrating such a significant increase, as highlighted by another housing economist at the Bank of Scotland, Mark Ellis
"This is apparent in several towns in Aberdeenshire where the economy has been stimulated by the strong performance of the oil sector."

Although these figures are promising with more homes than ever are being sold for £1 million or more, predominantly in Edinburgh, as well as signs of substantial amplification of property prices in the North East, what does it really mean for the future?  It’s not just the property market on its own which is directly affected by the elevation in prices, associated services including self storage and removal company operators also feel the ripple effect.



For more information on:

]]> The Scotland House Price Index Latest Figures for Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-20-The-Scotland-House-Price-Index-Latest-Figures-for-Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-20-The-Scotland-House-Price-Index-Latest-Figures-for-Edinburgh Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:25:46 +0100

It’s perhaps not necessarily the most obvious time of year to be thinking about house and property prices but, according to the LSL Property Services/Acadametrics Scotland House Price Index (HPI) house prices in Scotland have increased for the second month in a row.  The data detailing these trends is particularly important as it deals with actual figures, gained from every single property transaction.  It is a calculated average, rather than a forecast and takes into account seasonal variables and all types of transactions, including those made with cash.  Unsurprisingly, Edinburgh exhibited the highest average house price, closely followed by Aberdeen

City
Average House Price
(according to the Scottish HPI)
Edinburgh
£214,843
Aberdeen
£184,330
Glasgow
£131,210


These August figures highlight the peak period in the property market over the summer months and these trends are directly reflected in the various associated industries surrounding the property market.  Although these prices are showing an increase, they are still lower than last year: further highlighting the grim mist surrounding the property market in general


Removals & Storage


The self storage and removals industries are directly influenced by activity in the property market: removal companies’ level of business decreases if no one is moving house.  Self storage on the other hand is slightly different due to the benefits encountered by those moving and those unable to move.

Taking the market in Edinburgh as an example, where property comes at a very high premium in some places which can cause problems for people in any number of situations; sacrificing space to remain in a desired area, being let down at the last minute due to complications in mortgage applications and being effectively forced out of your home, moving in with relatives to help save for the deposit of your first home.  The list is potentially endless. 




Regain Control With Self Storage


These situations are sometimes out with anyone’s control; sometimes a sacrifice is made for the greater good in the long-run.  Whatever the reason, self storage can be used to relieve the strain put on your day-to-day life by the upheaval caused by your property circumstances.  Renting a self storage room can help to make the most of your living space whether it be to create a minimalist look to help market your property, or remove the clutter from your home to make life that little bit easier.

With flexible terms, self storage centres provide the perfect opportunity to those in a property conundrum.  If your circumstances change, you have the flexibility to change your storage requirements as and when required.  So, if the property of your dreams comes on the market, you can take the leap of faith and go for it, safe in the knowledge all your belongings are stored safely and securely, ready for you to retrieve whenever the time suits.

Happy House Hunting!


]]> Storage Spreading the Cost of Christmas in Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-19-Storage-Spreading-the-Cost-of-Christmas-in-Edinburgh http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-19-Storage-Spreading-the-Cost-of-Christmas-in-Edinburgh Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:54:38 +0100

As the 5 year anniversary of the demise of Farepak approaches Scotland is reminded of the cost of Christmas.  The company which allowed individuals and families to ease the economic burden of Christmas by spreading manageable payments over the whole year went into administration in October 2006.  £37 million was lost by approximately 116,00 people and 5 years on most have yet to receive any kind of refund: those involved have been told they will receive no more than 15% creating a total loss of £31,450,000.

The Farepak victims committee have plans to petition the UK Government to ensure people’s money is protected in the same way as large financial institutions “if they can protect the banks, they can protect ordinary working people” This is particularly applicable due to the fact that most people to suffer as a result of the company going bust were those on low incomes and pensioners.


Edinburgh


There are several ways in which the cost of Christmas can be spread over the year, especially in Edinburgh, without committing to any kind of savings plan.  One potential option which should not go unconsidered is the use of a self storage facility.  Renting a storage room can serve several purposes


Self Storage



  • Gradually purchase gifts throughout the year to ease the burden in November & December
  • Store these gifts in a self storage facility: this also keeps them out of the way of prying eyes on the run-up to Christmas
  • Storage space rented is entirely flexible: you can change the size of unit rented at a moment’s notice should your gift purchasing require it
  • Rent a larger room and share this with friends or family members to reduce the already low cost even further
  • Have peace of mind everything you store will remain in excellent condition whilst in storage

Self storage serves many functions with respect to preparing for historically the most expensive time of year for everyone, especially those with children.  This might go some way to easing the burden for those caught-up in the Farepak liquidation process.  As anything “pre-paid” is currently unregulated it is impossible to anticipate when this industry will in fact be regulated and bound by Government legislation. 

Those in charge of the liquidation of Farepak, BDO said “it’s not yet possible to confirm when a dividend will be paid to creditors” Although an up-date on the situation is expected before the end of December 2011.

]]> Self Storage Salvation from Shoebox Homes http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-18-Self-Storage-Salvation-from-Shoebox-Homes http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-18-Self-Storage-Salvation-from-Shoebox-Homes Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:59:07 +0100

‘Shoebox Homes’ are rapidly becoming the new “type” of housing in Britain.  The smallest in Western Europe, UK new-built homes are considered too small for a typical family life: this has been investigated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).  This is especially apparent in cities such as Edinburgh where the premium for land and properties is relatively higher than the rest of the UK



To investigate the reality of actually living in “shoebox” homes, the BBCspoke to people currently living in this type of housing.  One couple said "We made a big mistake when we bought it. They call it a three-bedroom house - but really it's only big enough for two." This statement is backed by RIBA’s findings which show the floor area of an average newly built property in the UK is approximately 86 square feet less than the recommended area of 1033 square feet.


Shoebox Storage


The social aspects of these living conditions have a negative impact on family life and the dynamic of living in a confined space.  It has been reported that 34% don’t have space to have friends and family for dinner, 48% couldn’t entertain visitors to their home full stop, and nearly 70% of those living in this type of property didn’t have enough storage space for their possessions.

The main reason houses are becoming smaller is due to the cost effectiveness of building more properties on smaller areas of land.  The process has been compared to that of a modern car engine: the component parts fit into the area allowed more efficiently and the car runs better than ever.  The cost implications of building larger properties would, without doubt, alienate first time buyers more than ever by pricing them out of the market.  Due to the stagnant nature of the UK housing market as much as possible needs done to ensure there is a happy balance between building spacious homes and still having someone to buy it at the end of it all.


Self Storage Solutions



Self storage is a viable option to be considered by those facing the choice between modern spacious housing and a property they can afford.  By renting a self storage room from a local operator, it allows the non-essential items for daily living to be stored out with the home.  Self storage centres are clean, dry and secure so its peace of mind for precious items such as books, out of season clothing, extra furniture and sports equipment.  The cost associated with renting a self storage room doesn’t even register as a percentage when considering the trade-off involving property prices in Edinburgh.]]> Organised in Edinburgh by Self Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-17-Organised-in-Edinburgh-by-Self-Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-17-Organised-in-Edinburgh-by-Self-Storage Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:05:38 +0100 The leaves are turning red and brown, and rapidly lining the streets of Edinburgh.  The rain has gone from falling in vertical direction to more of a horizontal one.  Before UK summertime is officially over, the winter months seem to be upon us.  Shorts, t-shirts and days at the beach are being replaced by woolly jumpers, scarves and staying in with the heating on.



On average UK families spend approximately £4 million pounds on essential items of clothing and footwear every year(based on 2008 findings).  This does not include non-essential items purchased, or any items purchased by affluent individuals: the figures relate to family purchases only.  Taking this into consideration, a sizeable amount is spent each year regardless of who is spending it.  As a result, it makes sense to look after any item of clothing and footwear as much as possible to get the most use out of them.

There is the possibility of a late holiday in sunnier climes where your summer wardrobe might get the last bit of sunshine for the year, but even then it’s a week or two at the most.  Making room in your wardrobe for new clothes is not only difficult but expensive if you are simply getting rid of your clothes to make room for new ones.  Although you generally accumulate clothing over a period of time, if you were to calculate the total cost of your entire wardrobe you can be rest assured the final figure is not something to be sniffed at!


Edinburgh Weather


Given the relatively short period of time summer clothing can be worn in Edinburgh and the UK in general, it makes sense to be organised with your wardrobe.  Being organised is not necessarily the easiest thing to do if you are limited by the amount of space you have to be organised in.  This is where self storage is a practical solution.

                                    

Storing items of clothing seasonally in a self storage centres allows you the freedom to organise your wardrobe: making sure none of your items of clothing are damaged by being forced into a small space.  Clothing can be retrieved easily from your storage room should a particular item be required at short notice.  Rental agreements are very flexible allowing you to change the size of storage room you rent at a moment’s notice, should your wardrobe require it.


Organised By Self Storage


Renting a self storage room from your local operator is not as costly as you would possibly think.  Taking the purchase of a new seasonal wardrobe every 3-6 months into consideration, the cost of self storage rental doesn’t even register as a percentage.  So, go and get organised for winter: use self storage!

]]> Edinburgh's High Winds Pale In Comparison with Tropical Storm Lee http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-16-Edinburghs-High-Winds-Pale-In-Comparison-with-Tropical-Storm-Lee http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-16-Edinburghs-High-Winds-Pale-In-Comparison-with-Tropical-Storm-Lee Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:13:56 +0100 As high winds batter Edinburgh, the weather brings a reminder of the number of recent devastating natural disasters worldwide: everything from hurricanes to earthquakes.  These have devastated homes, families and entire towns.  Hurricane Irene made her way across America, finishing her journey in New York where many people had fled the city that never sleeps.  Tropical storms can have winds of 45mph and higher, up-rooting houses, possessions and anything else in their way, leaving a trail of destruction.



The latest tropical storm to hit America was Lee hitting North Georgia with disturbing consequences and claiming one life.  The slow-moving storm is drifting over south-central Louisiana, according to National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen, soaking the South and creating twisters that could cause damage.
"When a tropical storm makes landfall, it's common for it to form spin-off tornadoes. In this case, the threat of twisters is from Louisiana to Mississippi, Georgia and Florida, adding insult to injury"  

Many people are ready for evacuation if they have not already left their homes. Many people have been interviewed, and none of them seem overly surprised by the presence of Lee.   Louisiana resident, Mike Lavelle's home has been turned into an island, surrounded by water "I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I was hoping it didn't happen but it has happened"   For Lavelle and so many who weathered Hurricane Katrina just six years ago, the current situation is all too familiar.



When a natural disaster occurs, there is little time for preparation which can cause even more heartbreak in such a situation. Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes are all unstoppable natural disasters, with each one individually causing different kinds and levels of damage.  One certainty however, is that each leaves chaos and destruction in its wake: leaving towns and cities empty, houses desolate and possessions lost.

In countries like America and New Zealand where natural disasters occur more often purely due to their geographical location, residents can take some precautions to ensure their possessions are kept save and secure by using a self storage facility: so everything is as protected as they possibly can be during situations where everyone is at the mercy of the weather. 

Although not entirely exempt from being affected by such weather events, self storage centres are generally fairly sizable buildings and are constructed in such a way which allows them to withstand severe weather situations: much more structurally sound than your average domestic property.]]> Baby-Proof Your Home by Using Self Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-15-Baby-Proof-Your-Home-by-Using-Self-Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-15-Baby-Proof-Your-Home-by-Using-Self-Storage Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:28:27 +0100

Picture the scene: you have a new born baby, it’s your first child, and you’re not really sure of what you’re doing: everything is new.   Getting stressed-out about how to change a nappy, how to stop the baby crying, getting up at all hours to comfort them, trying to figure out if they are hungry or if it’s time for a nappy change?  To say the situation is “daunting” would be the understatement of the century.

As time goes on things get easier; everyday your newborn is developing, growing and changing.  All the tiny baby clothes you received from friends and family as gifts, no longer fit as your baby is growing so fast.  They’ll be moving out in no time: well, not quite but they are getting bigger very quickly.  As time moves on, the cot is no longer needed and the pram and mosses basket are now redundant.  All the toys and walkers are shoved in the corner and soon, there is no use for the highchair anymore.

Although it’s a bit of a sweeping generalisation, families expand: the high-chair, cot, baby-walker and pram can all be used again if another child comes along, but what happens to them in the mean time?  Baby items can often cost a significant amount of money and if plans are to have more than one child it wouldn’t be out of place to term them as “an investment.”  The storage of these items within the home becomes a headache for any new parent trying to baby-proof the home environment.

Although not necessarily an immediately obvious solution, self storage is ideal for this type of situation.  Renting a small storage room from your local self storage operator serves several purposes.  Firstly, everything you don’t have a current use for, but know you will need in the future is kept out of the way: no more trip hazards in the shape of a pull along toy.  Everything put into your storage room will remain clean and dry: the worry about items becoming damp is removed from any thought process.  The storage room can also be used to keep anything a small person could injure themselves on, or cause damage to, out of reach.

Once the initial shock of becoming a parent for the first time has eased, and you think you are brave enough to cope with another child, the items can then be retrieved from the storage room in preparation for the arrival of baby number two.

]]> Storage At University http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-14-Storage-At-University http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-14-Storage-At-University Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:44:45 +0100 All the hard work has been done; you’ve applied to UCAS; all your exams are finished; now you’re enjoying your last summer at home before all the hard work really begins.  When the postman delivers your exam results your future begins.  Do you go to Edinburgh University or Aberdeen?  What about Dundee?  Whatever option you choose, there’s a distinct possibility you will be moving away from your family home.

When the time comes, you’ll be packing up your room filled with childhood memories, parents are packing up the kitchen, new pots, pans plates and cutlery is on the shopping list. You’re leaving home for the first time and taking everything but the kitchen sink.



Unpacking the car at your new home, generally in student halls you may realise you’ve packed more than the other fresher’s around you.  Do you tell your parents to take them home? Nah, there must be a reason you’ve packed seven different types of plates

With everything unpacked you realise that the space in your room has vanished: where can you put everything?  What about visiting home for Easter, Christmas and every other holiday in between? It would be impossible and a rather silly idea to carry all this stuff back and forward every time you visit home, this is where some extra storage space would come in extremely handy.

The extra storage space needed can be found in any reputable self storage centre.  Here you rent a room and use it somewhat like a “cupboard under the stairs” Storage centres are much like any high street retailer and understand the constraints students encounter, namely regarding cash flow so have special deals with students in mind. This way you can store all the stuff you may not necessarily need, but may want to have around in cases of ‘emergencies’

This means for the years that you are enjoying student life whether it is in halls, or in rented accommodation off campus, students can have peace of mind that they have spare plates in storage, and they have somewhere to store their TV when they go and visit the family for the weekend. Prized possessions and all sorts can be stored safely which means there is more time to party and ‘study’ rather than worrying about what you have or don’t have.

So when packing up in preparation for your new adventure just remember if you do want to take the kitchen sink with you there are plenty of storage rooms to be found..

]]> Self Storage Starlet's Début http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-13-Self-Storage-Starlets-D-but http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-13-Self-Storage-Starlets-D-but Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:20:28 +0100 Award winning ZMO Productions’ new short film Optimistic 9 is about “A pure soul attempting to find her path away from someone that has been entirely corrupted”  Our very own self storage starlet, Jackie Steele makes her screen début in what can only be described as, an inspiring and poignant piece of art

Based in West Lothian, ZMO’s previous film, Can’t See Me, did incredibly well at last year’s festival by winning the  “156 People Can't Be Wrong" audience award.  Being showcased on the big screen next month at the 2011 CineFringe Festival, there are high hopes (quite rightly founded ones too!) for Optimistic 9 to do extremely well. 



Filmed over 3 weekends in Edinburgh city centre (including Jackie’s flat), Blackridge and Armadale, the cast and crew sacrificed warmth and sleep to make this film happen.  Jackie describes the whole filming experience as a little “strange” given the fact she has never acted before. 

Will and Chris Dunne (the producer, director and head of ZMO) go way back, and Chris and Jackie worked together at The National Archives of Scotland.  Colin Constance (camera work) and Dave Lawson (Special FX make up and props) were also new to the team.  This is the first time Chris let go of the camera work to allow him to fully concentrate on directing.



The first scenes filmed were the dream sequences in Edinburgh.  Starting at 6am, it was [quote] “freezing!”  Jackie had to be wrapped up in her coat between takes due to wearing only a t-shirt resulting in the goose bumps on her arms being visible on film.  Although warmer, the scenes filmed at the flat involved a 12 hour day and demanded lots of hard work from everyone involved.

The hard work and dedication put into this film by the cast and crew is evident in its final form.  It’s not just us who appreciate this either.  As well as the Edinburgh CineFringe festival, Optimistic 9 is also being shown in the Tri-Cities International Fantastic Film Festival in Washington DC.



Everyone at Edinburgh Self Storage would like to wish everyone involved in the making of Optimistic 9 all the best of luck for their upcoming shows during the Festival, and have no doubt that ZMO Productions will reach international stardom in the not too distant future!

Dates Optimistic 9 will be shown: August 16th, 21st, 26th(16:30)
Shown at: City 1 of Sweet Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JF

All images courtesy of ZMO Productions
]]> £1000 for Edinburgh Council Tenants http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-12--1-for-Edinburgh-Council-Tenants http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-12--1-for-Edinburgh-Council-Tenants Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:40:26 +0100 Edinburgh Council tenants have recently been offered £1,000 to downsize their homes



Edinburgh City Council have introduced a new  incentive scheme which aims to free up living space in the city.  Research suggested that more than 1,000 council homes within the city were under-occupied, which is around 5% of the total housing.

This incentive scheme aims to help families which are living in over-crowded accommodation by offering the incentive to people who are under-occupying the larger council houses.  The money incentive of £1,000 may encourage people to downsize which will free up the larger houses for bigger families.



However, this may beg the question of how much space do people really need?  If downsizing a home there will be many possessions such as items of furniture, and decorations which may simply “not fit” into a smaller house.  Many people would say the space is decided by the size of family, the lifestyle led, and aspirations of the owner: to many a big house may reflect status.  However, humans all have the same basic need – shelter.

Bigger houses need more materials such as furniture and decorations to fill them, compared to a smaller house.  More gas and electricity is needed to supply a bigger house, so Edinburgh City Council tenants who decide to downsize, can save more money on their utility bills. But, what happens to all the possessions if people decide to down-size? There are many options such as:

  • Selling items – eBay can be used to sell items which simply will not fit into smaller homes
  • Donate to Charity – If items cannot be sold, this may be an option to many people downsizing
  • Car boot sale – Car boot sales can help rid people of some of their possessions

Many people may look towards eBay and other methods of sale to reduce the number of possessions they own, as well as making a few pounds in the process. The options above highlight some of the more common thoughts to cross the mind of anyone faced with downsizing.  However, all the options above show people selling items, they may still want them but simply do not have the space.  There a way to down-size your house, but keep all the possessions however: How many people would think of self storage?

This option allows you to keep all your possessions in a storage facility for as long as you need.  This may be until you move into a bigger home, or decide that the possessions are not needed. Either way, self storage is an option which allows you the opportunity of “choice” and despite popular belief; it’s not an expensive one, with most self storage operators now providing outstanding value for money storage deals.

The world of self storage is highly security conscious: prized possessions can be kept safely and securely within the storage room ensuring peace of mind.  So, if the tenants of Edinburgh City Council take advantage of the incentives on offer to downsize their homes, they may want to think of self storage as it is a good way of keeping all prized possessions safe until they need them.

]]> Edinburgh’s Offices & Storage Rooms Are Being Transformed Into A New City Centre Hotel http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-11-Edinburgh-s-Offices-and-Storage-Rooms-Are-Being-Transformed-Into-A-New-City-Centre-Hotel http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-11-Edinburgh-s-Offices-and-Storage-Rooms-Are-Being-Transformed-Into-A-New-City-Centre-Hotel Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:01:06 +0100 Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group is planning the development of a new hotel in Edinburgh’s busy City Centre.  The building proposed for the development is currently offices and storage rooms.  Once built, the Princes Street hotel is expected to create around 40 new Jobs in the city.  The grade II listed building is situated above department store Topshop, towards the east-end of Princes Street, near Waverley Station.  The Hotel Chain behind this development is the well-known budget hotel company, Travelodge.  However, Topshop owners, Arcadia Group, are funding the development.



Travelodge’s CEO, Guy Parsons states: “We will utilise space previously used for storage“.  Furthermore, "Arcadia forward funding our new hotel in one of the most prestigious locations in Edinburgh just demonstrates how flexible the Travelodge development model is."

35 year lease for the building is rumoured to cost £10 million.  This is just the latest in a large chain of development plans for Travelodge, who now own over 40 hotels in Scotland alone.  Despite this large investment, development plans for Edinburgh do not stop there.  There are currently 13 Travelodge hotels in Edinburgh alone, and plans for the future include an inner city expansion with up to five innovative “Metro Hotels” earmarked for Edinburgh alone.  Metro hotels will be much smaller, allowing fast paced development in city centres.  These hotels will generally house around 20 guest rooms.
Expansion is not limited to the country’s capital, as Travelodge have already opened 18 new hotels in the first half of 2011.  Other areas of planned expansion in Scotland include Aberdeen and Glasgow.



The hotel is due to open in summer 2012, just in time for the beginning of the Edinburgh Festival season.  Edinburgh’s popularity with tourists and has created this demand for budget accommodation in the city centre.  With one of the largest New Year Celebrations in the world, as well as the world famous Edinburgh Festival there is always something for tourists to see and do in Scotland’s historic capital.

It is commonplace for city centre dwellers and businesses to utilise space as much as possible during the busy festival season to provide accommodation for festival visitors.  Many homeowners choose to de-clutter their homes and put any personal belongings into storage whilst they lease out spare rooms during the festival, so there is certainly a demand for affordable accommodation within the city centre.
]]> Edinburgh Festivals Get a Helping Hand From Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-10-Edinburgh-Festivals-Get-a-Helping-Hand-From-Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-10-Edinburgh-Festivals-Get-a-Helping-Hand-From-Storage Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:09:14 +0100 Well folks, it’s that time of year again.  The streets of Edinburgh are awash with tourists asking “what time does the one o’clock gun goes off?”  The pubs and clubs are bursting with stag and hen parties from far and wide every weekend, from now until late October.  Street performers from all over the globe take-over the Royal Mile and spill into the main thoroughfares of the city centre.  Yes, that’s right its summer time in Edinburgh!



For the majority of locals, the festivals are a very welcome source of income with thousands of tourists spending their hard-earned cash visiting attractions.  There are the odd few however who find the festivals nothing more than a headache: getting from A to B in the city centre in the month of August often resembles an obstacle course, not one for the faint hearted either.  At times the population of Edinburgh doubles during the height of the festival period.  However, not all of these visitors are here for a “holiday”

Staging the world’s biggest collection of arts festivals doesn’t happen by magic.  A sizeable infrastructure is required to make sure all of the performers and venues are capable of providing top quality events.  One of the biggest feats conquered by the city is its ability to “accommodate” the thousands of extra inhabitants.  This is only achievable through the goodwill of many locals who vacate their own homes during August, put all their prized personal possessions into self storage and rent them out to agents, performers and staging crews.  Yes, there is monetary gain to be had but without these locals forgoing their homes, the performers would be left without a roof over their heads.


Below is a brief overview of the up and coming Festival delights hosted by Edinburgh, for more information, please visit www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk

  • July 22nd – 31st Jazz & Blues Festival
120 concerts crammed into 10 days requires the title of Britain’s biggest jazz festival

  • August 4th – September 4th Art Festival
Showcasing some of the most fascinating pieces of contemporary visual art in existence

  • August 5th – 27th Edinburgh Military Tattoo
An outdoor feast for the senses, the Military Tattoo is one of the most spectacular events in the Festival diary

  • August 5th – 29th Edinburgh Festival Fringe
No wonder this extravagant arts festival is one of the world’s largest: 250 venues throughout Edinburgh host over 2, 500 shows which put on over 40,000 performances!

  • August 12th – September 4th International Festival
Dance, theatrics, classical concerts and opera performances from around the globe grace Edinburgh with their presence.

  • August 13th – 29th Book Festival
Edinburgh, UNESCO’s City of Literature, lives up to its renowned title by attracting an unparalleled selection of literary icons to the historic centre of Scotland

  • September 2nd – 4th Mela Festival
Cultural diversity through the medium of art sounds a little “flakey” for want of a better word but it truly is the only way to describe this exhilarating limb on the Edinburgh Festivals tree!

Enjoy!

]]> Scaling Down With Self Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-9-Scaling-Down-With-Self-Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-9-Scaling-Down-With-Self-Storage Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:06:15 +0100
Downsizing your house can necessitate self storage

While everyone considers how they can eat less, use less energy and buy less, downsizing a house never usually makes the top of anyone’s list.  However it can be extremely profitable to downsize and therefore pay less rent, freeing up extra income for other purposes.

The question is how much space do we really need?  Many would say that this varies according to accustomed lifestyle, which no doubt plays a part, but humans all have the same basic needs, however rich.  If you want to know about downsizing to the extreme, look no further than the “Smallest House in Britain” on the coast of Wales which is approximately 3.05m x 1.8m. Its last owner was a 6ft 2 fisherman who vacated in 1900 although the house is still owned by his descendants.



Although this is taking it to the extreme it must be noted that the average size of a house has increased by 140% since 1950 according to www.treehugger.com.  This has a variety of effects.  Not only does it increase the amount of materials needed to build and furnish it, but the cost of running such large houses has a detrimental effect to the pockets of those living in them.

With rising gas and electricity bills and council tax rates, often it is impossible to live in a house that is going beyond your means.   Downsizing would mean less heating and electricity with fewer rooms. However just because you are moving to another house does not mean you have to leave behind your favourite things – curtains and floor coverings can all be taken with you either to your new house or to self storage where it can be kept until further notice.



A new trend is now developing among building companies that have taken into account the recent housing collapse and have started building smaller houses.  Therefore in return for less space, buyers can therefore splurge on other things, such as buying less but more expensive furniture, while simultaneously paying less gas and electricity bills.

By selling a bigger house in return for a smaller one means that, as well as less maintenance, it is also simultaneously eradicating a mortgage, or at least decreasing it if it existed.

Not only this, but size recently has become something of a symbolic status that you have “made it”. But size is not where the sense of home necessarily resides.  Many families have found that since downsizing, their homes have become cosier and family life has improved, as smaller houses bring families together in terms of distance and this has a long term impact on family togetherness.

]]> Venus' Fashion Brings Self Storage into the Game! http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-8-Venus-Fashion-Brings-Self-Storage-into-the-Game http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-8-Venus-Fashion-Brings-Self-Storage-into-the-Game Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:20:32 +0100

The Williams sisters may need some self storage for their many on court outfits…


The Williams sisters take their tennis extremely seriously as any tennis fan knows from watching them dominate tennis for the last decade.  Between them they have won 9 of the last 11 Wimbledon events.  Serena has won 13 Grand Slams and Venus 8.

Both have been out of tennis for the last year due to serious injury –Venus with a knee and hip problem and Serena with an ankle problem as well as a serious blood clot to her lung.  They are making their comeback at this year’s Wimbledon, with Venus opening today.  Serena is highly expected to win the tournament – a ridiculous thought in itself.  Having not played for 12 months and therefore ranked 28 (Wimbledon organisers have however moved her to 7) it would be an incredible feat if Serena pulled it off, but it is the Williams sisters we are talking about and with them you can expect the unexpected.



Their return to the court also means a return to stylish on court outfits.  Yesterday, against Armanmurad, Venus is wearing a loose white and gold dress paired with a gold disc shaped necklace.  It is more practical and demure in comparison to some of Venus’s other outfits.  Below is a run through some of Venus’s more controversial outfits.


US Open 2010. Venus wore a hot pink top with sequins on in the shape of fireworks teamed with black hot pants. Boris Becker described it as “distracting”.

French Open 2010. Probably the most controversial: it prompted many bloggers and observers to ask “Was Venus going commando?”.  In fact she wasn’t, but was wearing flesh coloured pants because she wanted the illusion of lace over skin.

Australian Open 2010. Bright yellow neon dress :flesh coloured underwear that left nothing to the imagination.

For many, her style trump came in Wimbledon 2010 wearing a simple ruffled white dress that she said was inspired by Tina Turner.

Madrid Open 2010. Probably her most racy outfit in our top 5: a reverse of outfit 2, this time with red being the main colour. A black and red ruffle lace dress that perhaps looks a touch too burlesque for the tennis court, but never mind, at least Venus brings a little edginess to Madrid.



With all these outfits, plus more, Venus should look into self storage for her range of clothes that could perhaps be used to sell for charity in the future – like Cheryl Cole has been doing recently.  For us mere mortals, self storage is useful for a few too many clothes that we may own such as storing bulky winter items through the summer.

]]> Grow Your Business With Self Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-7-Grow-Your-Business-With-Self-Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-7-Grow-Your-Business-With-Self-Storage Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:57:03 +0100

Self Storage For Small Businesses

In these shaky economic times small businesses are swimming against the tide to make profits and prevent them from going under.



Here are some reasons why self storage would be good if you are running, and trying to grow, a small business

  • Self storage is cheap, safe and flexible. With free access to your room, your own lock and key, and with on-site security you can be sure that your business items are safe.  Most self storage centres have 24 hour monitored CCTV and digital security systems in place, so you can be sure you are in safe hands.

  • The flexibility allows you to add more stock seasonally.  For example in the run up to Christmas you can rent more space to store increased stock so you do not run out for keen customers.  You can then of course downsize your space when you have cleared enough stock

  • Self storage is different from a traditional warehouse because you only pay for what you need – don’t be put off past experiences.

  • Thinking of upgrading to a larger office?  Many businesses find, by simply moving old documents into self storage this frees-up much needed space – as well as being cost effective rent wise, it saves more money on re-printing business cards and other address specific stationary.

  • Huge amounts of red tape hinders small businesses. Government legislation requires businesses to keep old documents for at least 7 years: depending on the industry, some items are kept for much longer. This causes clutter in the office that could be shifted into self storage – available if and when you need it but also out of the way.

  • Some savvy business entrepreneurs have realised that you can carry out light production at their self storage facility with lighting available.  Your self storage facility can become a mini distribution centre for stock, especially suitable for on-line and/or mail order businesses.


  • Another handy tip is to make sure you store your files in a correct order so it can be easily accessible to you.  There is little point in keeping your documents if they are not in an order that they would be in an office.  Make full use of your space and plan how you store your items.

  • Ensure you have walkways in between your archived documents and stock/equipment stored, for easy access when it is required


Self storage is a viable cost effective solution to any business looking to either free-up some valuable workspace, or expand as their customer base grows.


]]> Boxes, Boxes, Boxes http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-2-Boxes-Boxes-Boxes http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-2-Boxes-Boxes-Boxes Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:20:23 +0100 The cardboard box has been around for more than 100 years and has always come in handy in our day to day lives never mind when you take on the huge task of moving house or storing some of your treasured processions!

It used to be common practice to nip down to the supermarket to pick up some boxes from the end of the checkout desks however this is no longer the case.  It could possibly be a move on the large supermarkets behalf to improve and control their own recycling programmes in store as well as complying with the recycling legislation placed on the supply chain.

Many people are no doubt undertaking their annual spring clean at home and using lots of storage boxes to help organise the chaos that we descend into during such a large cleaning expedition at home!

Cardboard boxes make up a larger percentage of overall packaging than any other material in the UK.  Nearly everything we use and consume in this current climate has been packed in cardboard at some point:  the dinner we eat in a restaurant, the food on our supermarket shelves, to the clothes that we buy on the high street.

It is thought that nearly five billion cardboard boxes are used per year in UK: roughly equivalent to 83 boxes per person per year!  However, it is estimated more than 80% of boxes used in UK are recycled into new boxes.  A great sign showing the UK is embracing the new age of recycling for the good of our planet.

You can also buy cardboard boxes from your local storage centre.  Self storage facilities more often than not, stock a wide range of boxes, which come in all different sizes including cardboard wardrobes so all your clothes don’t have to get crushed in the move!  Not only will you find a variety of boxes but a host of other packaging materials are available to compliment and facilitate your packing mission.  Bubblewrap is used to protect fragile items and unlike packaging paper, doesn’t scratch glass or ceramics.  Packaging Tape to secure your boxes, marker pens to label them, and gloves to save your tired hands when lifting and moving the lovingly packed boxes are amongst the items generally stocked by a reputable self storage centre.



When it comes down to it, cardboard boxes are still very much in use whether you buy them from the internet, storage centre or gain some free from your local supermarket. The old cardboard box will always be around to help us move, tidy up or just organise our lives!

]]> Self Storage the New Relate? http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-3-Self-Storage-the-New-Relate http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-3-Self-Storage-the-New-Relate Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:18:42 +0100 Many ex-couples need self storage…



Many couples face the awkward prospect of living together because they can’t afford to move out.  It’s a situation that befalls many couples who live together and then break up.  First of all who moves out and secondly, where to?  Living on your friend’s sofa can only be done for so long until you outstay your welcome.  Many have to continue living with their ex as it is not financially possible for them to rent somewhere else.  A house for two is usually small, so instead of having to share the room as before, it could be a clever idea to use self storage to clear out the living room or the spare bedroom for one of you to use.

This means you can lead separate lives even if you live in the same house.  However, as it is possible to guess, there is more to living together than just sharing a bedroom.  Bathrooms and the kitchen will still have to be shared; romantic suppers together are no longer an option.  It is not all doom and gloom though.  Sharing your house together could potentially force an amicable break up as you learn to live without each other…with each other.

Then as soon as one party is able to move out, you can collect your things from self storage: hopefully by this point the divide up of furniture and belongings will be an amicable one, if not, self-storage is still there to keep it for you both!


Alternatively, moving-in can necessitate self storage…



For the happy couples moving-in together the opposite can be the case – fitting two people’s items into one house can make for a crammed and uncomfortable home.

There are two options available to the couple.  First, the couple could decide to donate their unwanted items to charity shops, in cities such as Edinburgh, charity shops abound.  Items in which you may have too many of such as televisions, radios, tables and chairs, cutlery and plates can easily be stored in self storage.  It would be wasteful to throw such things away but equally silly to have them cluttering your new dream home.

To find out how self-storage can help you move-in (or out) with your other half check out some self storage FAQs

]]> Kindle's Storage Forces Self Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-4-Kindles-Storage-Forces-Self-Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-4-Kindles-Storage-Forces-Self-Storage Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:17:53 +0100 The Kindle – friend or foe to books?


The Kindle is Amazon’s new venture into the world of electronics.  But instead of copying Apple and other companies into the music market, they have gone a totally different direction and into that of books and the world of literature.





Going to someone’s house for the first time can be interesting for many reasons but most obviously their choice of books (or lack of them) on their shelves can make interesting reading so to speak.  However, if as successful as the iPod, perhaps all this could be in the past very soon.  The Kindle can store up to 3500 books as well as the opportunity to download Penguin Classics for as little as 50p – a whole book is now cheaper than a song on iTunes.  Given its compact design, the Kindle is perfect for travelling with the added benefit of its battery lasting up to 1 month on a single charge: very handy for the beach!  Once of the features of the latest version on the market enables it to automatically download any desired daily newspapers providing there is a Wi-Fi connection available.





All this means is anyone with an extensive book collection gathering dust can consider self storage as a feasible, cost effective solution to freeing-up some space in their home.  Although arguably a shelf full of books is rather attractive, especially a good hardback: perhaps on this occasion its best to accept time marches on and fashions come and go.  After all, if you can carry around 3500 books in a super light machine then why bother buying new books?  For students the appeal is massive – lugging huge amounts of books from the library may soon become a thing of the past. 


So what becomes of the old books on your shelf? It would be stupid to throw them away, but at the same time equally stupid to leave them gathering dust if you have already read them.  Self storage therefore would be the answer to such a problem.  Books are precious and self storage would not only be the practical option but also the better option to keep your books in good condition, ready to bring out in time to show your grandchildren!

]]> Beginners Guide to Self Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-5-Beginners-Guide-to-Self-Storage http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-5-Beginners-Guide-to-Self-Storage Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:16:46 +0100 Self Storage 101

Regardless of what you need the storage for, moving house, divorce, student away for the summer, working abroad for a year or simply need a bit of extra space for all your stuff you want to be sure that your goods come out the same way they went in. Here we will explain what self storage is, what you can use it for, and what are the features and benefits, as well as points to consider when making the choice to store.




Firstly, What Can I Store?

You can more or less store anything you want in self storage. However, different companies will have different restrictions depending on the type of facility i.e., a container park will be much less fussy about what you store compared to a national chain of modern self storage centres. Most storage companies will not allow you to store anything highly flammable such as gas canisters and fireworks, this is mainly due to higher risk and the impact it would have on their own insurance. Self storage companies will also not allow the storage of living things: so no cheap kennels while you go on holiday or a place to put the children when they are misbehaving. The other main the storage firms will look out for is anything illegal going on around their storage centre. But in a nutshell unless it is illegal, alive or highly flammable you will be allowed to store it.


What Does Self Storage Provide?

Self storage provides steel rooms inside or outside where you can put your goods.  These storage rooms come in a huge variety of sizes so there will be usually a room size to suit you. Remember, the larger room the more expensive the storage will be, so only store stuff you value. You can rent the room on very flexible terms meaning you are not tied down to long period. Usually there will be minimum payment period of 2 weeks however you could just store for a couple of days if you wished. Most self storage companies will charge 4 weekly or monthly however they will refund any days or weeks which you do not use, although most will ask for notice of when you are going to move your goods out so they can line up another customer for your room. Self storage is all about convenience so they will provide you with a room which you can access at suitable times for you; it should be well lit, clean and dry. Often if the room is within a warehouse you will be provided with trolleys to move your goods and if on an upper floor a large goods lift will be provided.


How Secure Are My Goods?

You provide your own padlock for your storage room and you keep the keys. This is the normal way in which doors are secured. All reasonably modern storage facilities in the UK will be monitored by CCTV. This will always be recorded on site and many of the larger companies have the CCTV monitored by an outside agency, particularly outside opening hours. Although some companies employ security guards this is no longer common within self storage. The most modern innovation is the use of controlled access to your storage room: this is where you are given an access code for your individual room. This code will need to be punched into a keypad in order for the door to the self storage facility to open: it will also deactivate the individual alarm on your storage room. This clever technology also now has fingerprint technology but probably this will move to retinal scans over the next decade.
Storage companies will also have modern fire detection systems as they are required to meet very tight fire safety regulations. Overall, self storage is probably more secure than you house! The reason is that they have all the modern systems which your house doesn’t plus there are often more than 500 rooms, so if a thief was to get in, a) they wouldn’t have much time, and b) you would be unlucky of they chose your room.


When Can I Retrieve My Goods?

You can retrieve stuff during the storage company’s opening hours. These are usually a minimum of 6 days a week however many are now 7 days a week. The hours are generally long office hours between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Increasingly Self Storage is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Many companies are now offering extended access hours which are between the hours of 6am until 10pm. This is because it looks after most groups using Self Storage: domestic customers who use self storage for furniture generally come to the centre only twice one to move goods in and the second time to take them out, both processes usually involve some paperwork so need to be during office hours anyway.  The market traders and tradesmen although needing in early and sometime in late do not often work before or beyond these opening hours. However some people just need 24 hour access, like bands that finish gigs or weddings late and need to come late to store their stuff.


Do I Pack My Own Stuff?

The key word in self storage is ‘Self’. This means you do all the packing, lifting and carrying yourself.  Storage facilities do not provide this aspect of service and will not help you move your goods. Often the staff are specifically instructed not to help as it would compromise the storage company’s insurance. So when you decide you are going to use self storage you are deciding to do the hard work yourself. So there are certain things you must take into account when packing your goods.
  • You cannot have moisture in your storage room, so defrost your fridge and freezer as not doing do will give you big problems.
  • Remember that when moving the goods they will be going over the British roads which usually contain a few potholes, so pack everything carefully to deal with this.
  • The other thing is to use strong boxes as if you are stacking one on top of the other you need to make sure they will not collapse over time.
  • Some stuff may need added protection during the moving and storing process, including electrical goods, should be packed in bubblewrap while corrugated card can be used to protect furniture legs and corners, and tissue can be used for glassware and crockery.
………A common sense approach to this is usually sufficient.

Most reputable storage companies have elevators and moving equipment on-site for their customers to use free of charge such as trolleys and hand-pallet trucks: to make moving large items easier and lots of small items quicker


Do I need insurance?

Good enough to storage good enough to insure: this is the motto you should think of. If you think the goods are worth storing they must have some value to you. The storage company will provide insurance for a price, while others include minimal insurance cover within the total cost. You can attempt to organise your own with your home contents insurer but make sure you are covered for every eventuality.  Often obtaining cover from this avenue appears cheaper but often these providers will have an unreasonable number of excluded clauses: the policies sold by storage companies are bespoke for storage.

We hope the pointers above will help you on your way to finding a suitable storage solutions for you, regardless of why you need to store. Remember, self storage companies are exist to make your life that little bit simpler so make sure they are up-to-scratch and can offer a value for money storage solution for YOUR needs: after all, that's why you are paying them!
 

]]> Use Storage to De-clutter Your Life http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-6-Use-Storage-to-De-clutter-Your-Life http://www.edinburghstorage.co.uk/post-6-Use-Storage-to-De-clutter-Your-Life Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:14:16 +0100
How to de clutter and make your rooms look more spacious.

Fed up of tripping over the many chair legs and "Objets d′art" that clutter your house?   Here are some handy ways to de-clutter, making your house look bigger not to mention easier to live in!



  • Many sofas and chairs in a room are not only irritating, but it also can make a room look cramped and small.  
  • Mirrors can help to make a room look bigger.  They reflect light and therefore give the impression of a bigger room: they work most effectively placed near the windows so light bounces deep into the room and opens it up.
  • Choose your furniture carefully.  Not only should it be kept to a minimum, but it also should also not be too tall.  Tall furniture decreases the gap between the furniture and ceiling and creates the impression of a small room.
  • Use multi-purpose furniture such as chest of drawers or extendible tables.  Beds with drawers in the base for storage are also excellent for keeping your room tidy and un-cluttered.
  • Placing your furniture at an angle is also good for a small room.  This is because the eye naturally looks along the bigger angle (the diagonal of the furniture) rather than the small straight angle of the wall, thus giving the illusion of a bigger room.
  • Lighting is also a key element to creating a bigger looking room.  By keeping a room light and airy it gives the illusion of space: dark and cluttered areas bring the walls in closer so to speak.  However, if the view from your window is questionable, it can be made to look nicer by using potted plants by the window sill.
  • Avoid covering your walls with lots of pictures.  Again, this goes hand in hand with clutter: clear walls open up a room.  One large picture works better than lots of small ones cluttering a wall, much like two large sofas looks better than 4 or 5 small ones.
  • Make a focal point of your room.  In the dining room, it will probably be the table.  In the bedroom it would be the bed.  All other furniture should be “accessories” to the main focal point.
  • A clean floor is also very important to a spacious room.  Avoid using large rugs; smaller rugs will create the illusion of more floor space.
  • A clutter-free living space not only makes the day to day logistics of navigating your home, and life in general, it means less cleaning and dusting (a win-win situation if ever there was one!)
These tips are helpful if you want to create space within your home to reduce the stress levels encountered in daily life: being able to find things easily, being able to get ready for work in the morning without tripping over the clutter, and coming home to a clear space of an evening.



These pointers do raise the question of “where do I put everything?” What happens if you have a family gathering, Christmas dinner for example? Extra seating is needed to accommodate all your guests but if there has been a de-clutter spree and you now live in a minimal environment.  The answer is simple – self storage.  By renting a room at your local self storage facility you can enjoy the benefit of having a minimalistic, clutter-free home, whilst still having the freedom to collect the extra seats you have stored, should your social life deem it necessary.

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