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Finding space for your business archive...

archive self-storge

There will always be a need to archive business documents. Many documents can be stored in the cloud on the computer but for various business reasons there has to be original documents in hard copy. Perhaps it is for tax purposes (invoices, receipts, communications etc), customer agreements, past transactions or confidential client information. Whatever the reason, it needs to be stored where it will not physically deteriate, it is easily accessible and most of all safe and secure.

Archiving in a small office can be inefficient and prevent business growth

As a small business grows, it becomes more and more apparent that the broom cupboard, even if it does have lock and key, is not fit for purpose. In bigger offices old documents and archives can begin to take over a huge amount of space. Cataloguing becomes random and difficult and  storage gets in the way of normal processes causing chaos. If there is insufficient storage within your organisation you may want to consider self-storage facilities in your area. Here at Need A Space in Canterbury Kent we offer storage space for both business and domestic needs. But what is the best way to store those infuriating but precious pieces of paper?

4 top tips for archiving your documents

  • Security: Check with your self-storage provider to find out what security provisions are in place. Many business documents and records are confidential and need to be private. Need A Space offer CCTV, a perimeter fence, high-security infra-red beams and state of the art alarm systems.

 

  • Label boxes. As well as easy access you need to know where each and every document is. So however short of time you may be, have a clear labelling system.

 

 

  • Office filing system: It is often useful to use an office filing system twinned with the labelling system you use at the self – storage outlet. For instance, labelling a box by a number and then put the relevant details on an excel sheet which is easily accessible in the office.

 

  • Be cost effective: Always find a self-storage unit close to your office for obvious reasons, but in some cases (especially with documents which need to be archived for long periods and do not necessarily need frequent access) consider storing outside of your location. For instance, London prices are high, but by storing down here in Kent you could make quite a saving.

 

Based in the heart of Kent, and situated on the outskirts of Faversham and Canterbury, Need A Space is conveniently located for both local county and South London clients. Looking for storage space in Faversham Canterbury or Herne Bay? To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help businesses in Kent and the London area click here

 

 

 

 

The Need A Space quick removals guide

removals guideNeed A Space offers more than just self-storage. Our team is well aware that many of the customers using our facilities are often going through the biggest and most stressful project of their lives. That is why, as well as offering a van for rent, we also offer a highly professional and cost-effective removals service. We want to get you there with as little stress as possible and with your budget still intact.

But we hope we can offer you great guidance as well. You can see advice about moving on the big day on the removals page on our website – but preparation needs to start long before that. So, lets look at the factors you need to have in place as you approach the big day:

  1. Pets get stressed too

How can you make it as easy as possible for them? Consider placing them in kennels or a cattery in the area where you will be located. This way they will not feel the impact of the big change so much on the big day. Also, if there are smells (toys, favourite blankets etc) in the new house from the old home – this will help them to settle in much faster.

  1. Leave the kitchen sink

This is a great time to sift through your possessions and decide what you want to keep. This does not necessarily mean you will be throwing stuff away. Consider sending valuables to charity or putting them up for sale to make an extra bit of money.

  1. Packing up

Start packing up well in advance of the moving date. The best strategy is to go through the house room by room and leave the rooms you use most (like the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom) until last. Label each box with its contents and where it will be going in the new home.

  1. I know where I’m going…

Make sure you distribute your change of address and contact details to your friends and companies who will be still offering a service at your new address. Take advantage of the Royal Mail re-location service which for a small fee will, for an agreed period, redirect post to your new address.

  1. Arrange for meter readings and service disconnections

You are going to need to disconnect fundamental supply’s such as energy and water. You may need to arrange these in advance as you do not particularly want it all to happen on the day you leave. Get your final meter readings.

  1. Think digital

If you rely on broadband and digital services make sure that they are available and can be set up easily at your new home.

  1. Organize how your stuff will be packed

Liaise with your removals company. They should come out to you, in order to get a good idea as to how much has to be moved and the type of possessions that need to be transported. For instance, some companies have a special clothes rail on board. Check out how they will transport your most vulnerable assets.

Need A Space self-storage offer removals services in the Kent area. To learn more click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The glory of Canterbury

self-storageNeed A Space self-storage sits in the heart of arguably the most famous British county – Kent. Within easy reach of Faversham, Canterbury, the Medway towns and Herne Bay, Need A Space offers exceptional self – storage and removals services to both residents and businesses in these and surrounding areas. We never take for granted the wonderful countryside and towns around us. Many of the towns go back over 1000 years in their origins. Perhaps the most well-known is the city of Canterbury.

Go back to the 12th Century

The greatest attraction in Canterbury of course is the magnificent cathedral. The spectacular building houses many stunning features, including a Romanesque crypt, a perpendicular nave and beautiful medieval stained-glass windows. But most of all this evocative christian temple will take you back to the 12th century as you visit the resting place of Thomas Beckett. Venerated as a saint of the Catholic church, his assassination when he was the archbishop, has confirmed him as a martyr.

Shoulder to shoulder with Chaucer

One of the first great publications in the 14th century in the English language – after the invention of the printing press by Thomas Caxton – was The Canterbury Tales. Live costumed characters act out the stories or you can also take the audio guide to view first hand how the book relates to the old city.

Breathe in living history

The cobbled streets at the centre of the town reflect how the town may have looked over 400 years ago. Many of the houses are listed buildings and so are direct reminders of the Tudor and Stuart age. The main shopping routes are a mix of modern cutting-edge shops and brands and the unique “olde worlde” look which is so precious and evocative.

A night with the Bard

Drama aficionados will adore the Marlowe Theatre. Named after Christopher Marlowe, the sixteenth century playwright who was writing at the same time as Shakespeare, this is a centre for cutting edge modern plays and fabulous re-enactments of those classic plays we love so much.

Something for everyone

And there is so much to do! There is something for  all the family. From the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge to art classes at the Conquest House gallery. Are you a wine lover? Then give the Barnsole Vineyard a visit – it’s totally free. Or if you are the type who like getting out there and doing some healthy walking, look into the Barham and Adisham Walk or the Blean Woods National Nature Reserve.

Whatever you are into there is something always going on here in Canterbury – even if you just want to have a coffee in a really cool shopping centre while watching the world go by. So next time you are visiting Need A Space why not plan for a whole enjoyable day and take in the wonders of Canterbury.

 

 

 

 

Cheap London storage in the Home Counties

london storageLondon may well arguably be the commercial capital of the world but when it comes to practicing business within London – costs can quickly go through the roof. That is why Need A Space self-storage offer a much cheaper option for self-storage while at the same time offering premium security, quality and accessibility.

Cheaper self-storage in Kent

Situated in the heart of Kent (located on the outskirts of Faversham and Canterbury) Need A Space self-storage facilities are within easy reach of the London catchment area which means we can cut storage costs enormously, saving managers huge amounts on their annual budget. Just take a look at some of our facilities:

  • Over 40,000 feet of self-storage space for start-ups and SME’s, to corporate business and global enterprise
  • Free moving van. We can supply a Luton tail lift van for a whole day to help with large removals and awkward bulky goods.
  • Secure mailbox to filter business communications or create an anonymous business mailing address.
  • Clean dry self-storage units for all your business archives.
  • Flexible working hours means you can access your stored items whenever you wish.
  • Forklift truck services
  • Parking bays and convenient loading bays
  • Friendly staff available for support and advice.
  • Unbeatable security which includes, CCTV, high security infrared beams, state of the art alarm systems and perimeter fencing.

Quality archive storage and cheaper rates

Extra storage is needed only too often in modern business. Documents need to be archived and if this takes place on the main business property it can take up a great deal of useful (and high rental!) property space.

Easy access, flexible opening hours

Businesses which have a seasonal element or use valuable equipment documents and tools for a minimal part of the year will need somewhere to house that paraphernalia somewhere which is secure, and accessible.

Currently we have many business clients who are based in London and have decided to use our storage facilities here in Kent to cut down on overheads such as storage. With all the facilities such as free van hire, forklift truck services and flexible opening hours, our clients know their items will be easy to store and accessible in business hours.

To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help businesses in Kent and the London area click here

 

 

Stocktaking can streamline your business processes

stocktakingStocktaking on a regular basis is essential for businesses with physical products to sell. And this is not just about making sure space is used to its optimum. There are a number of reasons why this underestimated exercise can both streamline internal processes, create a much better experience for the customer and possibly even boost future sales and profits.

Take all market forces into account

To begin with good business is all about buying in stock at the right time to meet demand so an astute manager will be aware of how seasonal and other environmental changes can affect sales. To this end, taking all market forces into account stock can be bought in to meet likely demand. However, these will always just be estimates and in order to perform a good balancing act, there needs to be a track of how much cash is paced in assets. This in turn will help cash flow.

Future orders

As much as we can generally monitor demand, year in and year out, we also have to be prepared for those unexpected large orders. The kind of order that happens for no reason but is essential for the success of the company. So overall a clear idea and understanding of what products you have in stock at any one time means you will be able to order and replace stock whenever needed.

Take shelf-life into consideration

Another benefit from regular stock-taking is you will have the capacity to recognise when stock is going to waste. All stock has a shelf-life of some sort. At one end of the scale for instance there are food products with use-by and sell-by dates; at the other end of the scale you have electrical and digital products which may become redundant very quickly due to the unceasing march and progression of technology.

Use stocktaking to enhance future campaigns

Stocktaking will not only provide informed triggers and boundaries for supply it can also act as a way of prioritising stock. Once you take specifications of stock into account you can minimise wastage and also create new systems which will encourage sales of products which may not be cutting edge anymore but still be of great use to your target market (think: the latest mobile phone upgrade; older models still well through clever marketing campaigns).

Getting your team on board

If there is more than one person committing to the exercise, make sure that each employee is working to the same process. For instance, how will stock that is made up to create a master product be counted? Everyone needs the same commitment: laziness, making estimations or assumptions can sabotage the whole exercise.

Need A Space is based in Canterbury Kent and offers self-storage facilities to the London and surrounding areas such as Faversham, Medway and Herne Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short history of the beautiful town of Faversham

faversahamTraditionally, Kent is known as the garden of England. From Dartford and the Isle of Grain in the far North to the renowned seaside resorts of Margate and Ramsgate in the south, this stunning county steeped in history and culture certainly has some of the most wonderful scenes of natural beauty. Take any road, track or route throughout Kent and you will find idyllic villages and hamlets, quaint little towns which appear to have been frozen in an earlier simpler time, and cities that are known the world over. One of those towns, which Need A Space self-storage is lucky enough to be located near – is Faversham.

Faversham is one of those gorgeous rustic towns whose architecture is reminiscent of a bygone age and its walkways seem to take you deeper into to its rich exciting history. Amazingly, Faversham was first noted as early as 811 AD in a Royal Charter. It was next mentioned in the Domesday book as being in the possession of the King – William the Conqueror. Even then it had the same kind of markets which still survive today on the main street of the town on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

This little town may be gentle in appearance, but it has seen a fair amount of battles in the past as a member of the Federation of Cinque ports. It became wealthy in the Tudor period when trading developed. The guild hall which dates back to the Elizabethan era was brought up to date during the Georgian period and is now a regular meeting place for the Faversham Town council.

The manufacture of explosives was an industry which endured for centuries. The first gunpowder factories originated in the 16th century. The industry finally left the area in the 1930s, for reasons of safety culminating in the modern Shepherd Neame brewery, serving international markets. Hops were grown locally, and hop-pickers arrived every September from London to work on the ripened crop.

As it is so closely located to London, Faversham is now considered a commuter town that offers delightful country walks, pleasant shopping areas, wonderful little café’s and tea shops and a vibrant social scene. Faversham especially pays attention to Britain’s festive days with its own unique events. Experience the National Apple Festival at time of harvest, a horror – filled event at Belmont for Halloween, the Doddington firework display on November 5th and Christmas lights and Markets The town of Faversham and it’s outlying villages are always worth a visit.

 

 

 

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