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Powering your spring clean with self-storage

self-storage kent

Here we go! Spring has sprung, Easter is just around the corner, and we are all coming, hermit-like out of our winter recesses. We are already enjoying the fabulous weather, watching the snowdrops daffodils and tulips brighten our gardens and its almost as if we are filled with a new energy to get outside and explore the world.

But hold on… just before you go…

As much as this is an invigorating time of the year, it is also a time to clear up that unwieldly mess we have been living in through the bleak months of the cold season. Spring cleaning time. And the sooner we can get it finished – the better.

Let’s have a look at a few tips – but even better than that, let’s look at ways to make spring cleaning easier the next time it rears its ugly head on the calendar.

Extra shelves

How often have we said we need extra shelves for all those clothes that end up on the floor? Or because we haven’t got the shelves, it is so difficult to find the clothes we need – then everything just ends up in chaos. Create space by dividing your shelves with dividers. Then you can really start storing your clothes methodically – easy to get to – easy to put away.

Stop storing the stuff you will not need

We all have a touch of the hoarder in us. Unfortunately, this means tidying and storage can be a real nightmare when there is not the space at home. This is a time for real honesty. Is it something you will use again? Ask yourself why you are holding on to a commodity? This does not necessarily mean the rubbish bin calls. Boot sales can be fun (and you can make a bit of money), sell it online or you can give useful stuff to charity.

Finding extra space

None of us have infinite space. However, self-storage facilities can offer storage of precious valuables for set periods at reasonable costs. If you have storage facilities already you could tidy up by putting some valuables here.

Make spring cleaning fun

There’s no doubt spring cleaning is a chore but to get through it you need to get into the right mindset. Think of it as a time when you can also have a bit of fun. Put on your favourite music CD’s, use it as a way to get great exercise, when you’re stuck in one place in the house, put on your favourite DVD to kill the monotony.

Keep to a schedule

This is all about creating order – so you need to be organised yourself. Create a schedule when you will commit to certain tasks. If you finish those tasks early – give yourself a reward. Try not to be distracted by telephone calls and friends calling to the house. You are not just doing a spot of house cleaning – you are doing an important task that has to be completed. To keep to a schedule a checklist is absolutely essential!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was the 2017 budget good for small business?

self-storage kentSometimes the budget can be as interesting as watching paint dry for most people. When it is first presented by the chancellor in the house of commons, it tends to be long and drawn out in its delivery and it is traditionally peppered with legal, and financial technical terms which often makes it understandable on first hearing only to those with a degree in economics.

Brexit and public services

But this year it has attracted a great deal attention in the UK as the future with Brexit still needs solid structure and direction and many of our public-sector services (the NHS, the prisons, housing and benefits) are so much in need of extra funding that they are close to collapse.

It was a little bit of a surprise then when there was hardly any attempt clarify the road ahead for Brexit and there appeared to be little concern or major allowances for public services. There was generous injections for social care and triage but is this just another year of throwing money at systems that just do not work anymore?

Increases in National Insurance

What’s more, the conservatives appeared to be going back on earlier promises to the self-employed by hiking National Insurance rates (from 9 to 11% over the next 2 years). For many years now, the conservative party has been behind small businesses and has offered substantial increases in personal allowances, but this specifically goes against David Cameron’s original manifesto.

This move has already come under a great deal of criticism and twitter and the broadsheets are red hot as can be expected.

What perhaps seems a little odd, according to many political commentators, was how this hike in NI rates really does go against conservative policies which usually back small business, capitalism and entrepreneurship.  These rises if go unheeded will undoubtedly cause not only hardship, but also hamper small business growth in the UK.

How did Phillip Hammond explain the rises in national Insurance?

“Employed and self-employed alike use our public services in the same way, but they are not paying for them in the same way. The lower National Insurance paid by the self-employed is forecast to cost our public finances over £5 billion this year alone. That is not fair to the 85pc of workers who are employees.”

Even though the chancellor talked about leaving the EU and the need to keep the UK at the cutting edge of global trade he did not go into any real specifics as to how that would be achieved which left many feeling the budget in reality was as dull as ditch water.

The chancellor reminded everyone that statistics show that, against everyone’s expectations, the UK has continued to show growth in most respects – it is a fact that the UK economy grew faster than any other major economy except for Germany in 2017.

But as the conservative party slaps itself on the back, it may be timely to remember that we still haven’t left yet…

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

 

 

 

 

 

Top eight tips for lifting safely

At Need A Space, our experience has told us, that in any scenario where you are moving assets and valuables between 2 points, you have to protect yourself. At our self-storage base in Kent, we offer many of the accessories to make that move as easy as possible. For instance, we have van use, for lift truck use, staff to help you in times of trouble and for advice.

But none of this gets rid of the fact that at the end of the day you are going to have to do some kind of lifting and, if it is not carried out in the appropriate manner, you could well be on the road to causing yourself an injury.

So, we want to make sure you are as safe as possible by giving you a full article of manual lifting tips! A more detailed listing can be found at NHS Choices

  1. Before you start bending, stretching muscles, heaving or anything like that, have a clear aim in mind. If you are going to move a heavy object from point A to point B, know where you are going to lift from, the distance and where and how you are going to place the object down. Will you be putting it on the ground? Will you be placing it on another object? Are you sure there is enough room? Can the object below definitely take the weight of the object you are lifting.
  2. Be honest with yourself. If  you believe the weight is going to be too heavy to lift – do not attempt it. Ask for help.
  3. If you are going to be manually carrying the object a long distance, what will you do if you get too tired? Where can you place the object safely in order to restart your journey later.
  4. Before you begin lifting you need to adopt a stable position. This is with your feet apart and one foot slightly in front of the other to aid balance.
  5. Keep your back straight when lifting. When lowering yourself to pick up a heavy object, bend your legs at the knees.
  6. Hold the weight close to your body as this will help overall. Keep the weight close to the waist for as long as possible as this will stop too much strain n your back.
  7. Don’t twist while lifting. Keep the shoulders level and in the same direction as the hips. Looking ahead instead of down at the object will help you keep this stance.
  8. Try to move smoothly – sudden jerks may result in injury.

 

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

 

How students can streamline transient lifestyles and take care of valuables in Kent

self-storage students Kent

Half-term came just a little bit too early for students in Kent this year it would seem. With the weather in the UK just about as unpredictable as ever, we have been volleyed backwards and forwards between cold weather and …well…even colder weather. In fact, the last week has been reported to have seen temperatures as low as -10 degrees centigrade. Ouch. A little bit too cool.

To add insult to injury, we are now promised that the next week, when colleges, universities and schools re-open, that temperatures are going to the opposite extreme and reach highs that are normally only experienced in the Mediterranean.

Warm down south…

We expect the weather to be slightly warmer down here in wonderful rustic Kentish places such as Canterbury, Faversham and Herne Bay and the like but for students who have to prepare themselves for a pretty transient life anyway most of the time, things can get a bit frustrating.

My student days are a haze now as I look back. I probably enjoyed myself too much and learned too little. But it was slightly different back then in the sixties (I am at the age now when forgetfulness goes with the territory). You didn’t tend to travel so much (because communications were not so good) and you didn’t have so many valuables – these were the days the summer of love (pretty flowers are all we need!) and long before the times of ultra-disposable possessions and gadgets.

So, for the student in the 21st century who wants to take advantage of the wonderful stuff around them, travel while they have the chance, visit their home of origin during half-term and generally enjoy the life of an intellectual tumbleweed, you need a great deal of foresight and need to do a good deal of planning beforehand.

Self-storage in Kent to the rescue

Self-storage is one of those services which has risen up over the last 10 years and makes the problem of keeping your valuables safe while travelling from place to place an absolute doddle.

Need A Space is a self-storage facility based in Canterbury which offers storage for students. Now you can leave your valuables in a secure place at highly competitive prices while you are away from college and visiting the family or tripping the high seas. CCTV and high security infra-red beams makes sure that your valuables are absolutely safe.

We can help with transport by providing free van hire and you will be welcomed by our friendly staff. We can provide packaging tools and to help cut costs further, groups of students can easily store their valuables in one place together.

To learn more contact us on 01227 751673. We look forward to hearing from you!

How Need A Space beats all self-storage competition in Kent!

self-storage faversham

  • The cheapest self-storage prices in Kent

Our guarantee says we cannot be beaten on price! There is no need for a deposit and no hidden costs. Our experience in the storage industry has told us that it is likely you will need to either increase or decrease the amount of space you have available in your storage unit. At Need a Space, unlike many of our competitors, we offer total flexibility – you can change storage unit size when you like at no penalty.

  • Great location in Kent for major enterprise and SME

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

  • Free packing materials 

When you use Need A Space for the first time, you can take up the offer of a free box of essential packaging materials to suit your requirements. 

  • Packing materials when you need them 

Often find you need those extra few boxes, strong tape or bubble-wrap? No worries, we have loads of supplies at Need A Space. We have found from many years’ experience that where our clients have accessories on tap they do not waste precious time and money.

  • Free use of Tail lift van 

When you sign up for 2 months’ self-storage you will get free use of our tail-lift van.

  • Vans for hire 

Need a van for your removals? We provide van hire at highly competitive prices!

  • 6th month for a penny!

We love it when our clients decide to stay with us long -term as we can get to know you and your real needs. Clearly this also means less administration for us and we would like to repay that to our loyal customers.

Removal services at affordable rates

Moving house and don’t want to be dealing with the complications of working with different companies? At Need A Space we offer a removal service at very reasonable prices.

  • Mailbox rental

To complement our self-storage facilities, Need A Space offers secure Mailbox Services. You can now have your mail re-directed to a secondary mailing address to give you peace of mind for all your home and business postal communications.

  • Friendly staff to make moving easy

Our trained friendly staff are always on hand to offer assistance on site when needed. You will find a selection of packaging materials and tools on-site as well as the use of loading bays, free van hire (terms apply) and an assisted fork lift truck service to make that move, whether long-term or short term, as quick and easy as possible.

  • Unbeatable security for your valuables

From CCTV and high security infrared beams to state of the art alarm systems and perimeter fencing you can be sure your precious valuables will be safe with us!

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 most obvious way to cut costs in 2017 as major changes suggest a rocky ride

self-storage canterbury and faversham

Hopefully 2017 will bring new hope, new financial stability and greater profits as we look towards the future. However, when you look at the combined forces of global recession, the unpredictable path of Brexit and the mad and often offensive rantings of Donald Trump, you can’t help but feel that we all need to be cautious for the moment.

This is sad and depressing if not a little frightening. All businesses need to grow to thrive, to invest in its perceived strengths and reach out to its target market. But while global economies still appear to be in limbo we still have to check international growth due to uncertainties abroad and at home.

Looking to those familiar costs

Now, more than any other time, it is a time to look at ways to cut costs and out-goings. Keeping a closer eye on costs (especially those costs you don’t really question anymore – they have been a regular outlay for so long, you don’t even question them), allows you to prepare for that fall the politicians of fear have been warning us about for so long and also to make tentative steps in moving your company forward.

There are so many ways you can re-visit those daily costs and it often is about thinking twice about the out-goings which have become so familiar. Are these costs still necessary? Can you obtain them at reduced cost from new competition on the market? Can you negotiate new fees with your current providers? Can processes be streamlined to reduce current costs?

You will no doubt be looking at your teams as well as your assets and your daily processes and activities. But among all of that there is something that many business managers miss. And if they paid more attention to it they could find they could save themselves a whole lot of money.

You probably know already that we are talking about – Space.

Yes space.

It is one asset all businesses misuse. If used more appropriately they could save their company’s a great deal in annual costs. Take a look around at your offices and factories now? Which offices are not being used? Which areas are you paying for which do not service your profits? How can you streamline processes (i.e. diarise meeting rooms; monitor cancelled usage etc.) to ensure it is used to its maximum.

And is there space out there you are not using which causes greater outlay or stunts processes? For instance, what commodities do you have that are preventing space from being used effectively? Those huge cabinets of archived data – how can they be handled in a more effective way? Can you store commodities you need temporarily or seasonally in order to acquire more space? Freeing up space can prevent putting out money on assets you in fact already have, and streamlining processes at no cost at all.

At Need A Space in Canterbury Kent we want to give you space so you can save time, and money!

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

 

 

 

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