Author: Gayle Edwards
If you are an SME, you might not think self-storage will help your business. You might be renting office space in the centre of Birmingham, running your own shop in Sutton Coldfield, or working directly from your home office. No matter the size of your business, we’re certain we have a storage solution for you.
Self-storage benefits for Birmingham businesses
When you are already paying inner-city rates for your office space in Birmingham, you probably value every square inch. You need enough room for offices for your team, somewhere for them to relax on a break and a spacious meeting room for clients and conference calls.
What you don’t want to do is pay premium rates to turn a room into a store cupboard, or fill with unused furniture. After all, that room could be just what you need for another member of the team.
Self-storage units are a good place to store all your spare office furniture. Even better, they make the perfect solution if you need to archive files and files of paperwork. Here’s why.
At Cookes Storage in Sutton Coldfield we have archiving solutions ready for every business. We can provide racking and strong boxes. We’ll even provide a free collection service to come and collect those full boxes for you, and put them in your unit.
In addition, our units come in various sizes so you don’t pay for more space than you need, they are completely secure and indoors, so there is no risk of damp. What’s more, being outside of Birmingham city centre, our prices are highly competitive so you’ll save money on your floor space.
Self-storage benefits for retailers and shop owners
A big issue for retailers and shop owners in Sutton Coldfield is space. You need as much room as possible to display your products so that customers can see them easily – which means you don’t want to be using any more than necessary for storing stock.
Of course, there are ways you can maximise your own back rooms – stacking your boxes high, using corridors as extra storage – but that has its own problems. Piles of boxes blocking your corridors is a health and safety hazard waiting to happen – not a great way of caring for yourself or your employees. Stacking boxes also means you’ll struggle to find stock fast, and you are more likely to take losses due to damages.
At Cookes Storage we offer flexible contracts, designed to support businesses. That means you can rent a small unit for your slow-selling stock, keeping it safe, dry and undamaged until you need it.
Then, when you need more room for seasonal items or high turnover items, you can just increase the size of your unit short-term. The great thing is that we are easily accessible, so we’re not far away when you need to just pop in for a quick shelf refill.
Self-storage benefits for sole traders and small businesses
Working from home sounds great. You can get up in the morning and be at work without spending hours in traffic jams. You can take a break in the day to walk the dog, and carry on later. You can be home for deliveries and repairmen.
The problem with working from home is that you can never quite switch off, and as your business grows it takes over more and more of your family space.
A self-storage unit can be the equivalent of a spare cupboard – giving you just enough space to store files, samples and stock, keeping it out of family life. A larger unit – the size of your garden shed – can give you space for stock and your event equipment.
If you are a stallholder and visit plenty of outdoor markets or local events, then you’ll need somewhere to keep your gazebo, tables, banners, baskets, displays and products. At Cookes Storage we support local small businesses in the community. We’re on hand to help you find the best solution for you to grow.
No matter the size of your business, we’re here to support you. Call today on 0121 250 5055
As every parent knows, keeping a child’s room tidy is a futile task. Toys for younger children seem to consist of hundreds of plastic pieces, which get smaller as your child gets bigger. Art supplies, books, soft toys – everything soon spreads across the room, and as they approach their teens you can add in clothes and accessories too.
However, there are some great storage solutions to help you keep things under control, as much as possible, no matter the size of your bedrooms.
Storage beds
Storage beds are a brilliant way of maximising on the space in your child’s bedroom. Mid-sleepers are slightly higher than a normal divan, with drawers and cupboards underneath. High-sleepers can be a great option for older children, with space for a desk and wardrobe.
Plenty of room for baskets
When your child loves small cars or little ponies you can soon build up a large collection. Providing your child with baskets gives them an easy way to tidy up quickly and keep things organised – they can carry the basket about while they play, and put it away easily.
Jars for small items
When you have a little artist in the family you’ll have crayons, paint brushes and pencils everywhere. Keep a selection of jam jars available as fantastic pot holders. They can also be a good place to keep small pieces of toys you tread on and just can’t place.
Don’t forget the shelves
Books, ornaments, the little craft projects they make at school – everything needs a home. Floating shelves are an easy way to utilise awkward and high wall spaces for a bit more storage.
Add a space for creativity
Children of all ages love to be creative – a corner of the room for an easel or a space for a desk. There’s room for artwork and homework, inventions and writing stories, and as they get older, a space for laptops.
Box shelf storage is very versatile
Box shelf storage has become very popular in recent years, not least as it’s very easily available in flat pack from local furniture providers. It can be adapted with doors, boxes and shelf dividers – and comes in a variety of colours to add personality to your room.
Remember something for the laundry
Kids can start learning to tidy up their own space at any age. Adding a fun laundry basket to their room helps to create habits of picking their dirty clothes off the floor – although actually hanging things up make take a little more incentive.
Drawers are not just for clothes
If you like to keep things out of sight, then a chest of drawers doesn’t just have to be for clothes. Consider placing a couple of units next to each other – with some drawers for t-shirts and others for board games. The perfect solution.
Adding storage to your child’s room might provide a home for everything they love. Sadly we cannot make sure they actually use it to keep things tidy though.
A fresh new year stretches ahead, full of possibility. Are you looking at the next 12 months with excitement – or are you still in recovery from a very festive end to 2019?
We love the start of a new year. It’s the time for fresh starts, setting goals and making plans. But first, we do have to get through the frosty cold winds of January. So what can you do to make the winter whistle by?
One of the best ways to lift your mood in the winter is to make the space around you as inviting as possible. There’s nothing more depressing than spending your working day in a dirty, cluttered space. So, here are some top tips for making more of your work environment.
Growing your business
Now is the time for many business owners to start thinking about their business plans for the next quarter at least – and most likely that will involve some sort of expansion. Are you taking on new staff, planning to open a second office or looking at a new approach to marketing?
One thing all businesses need is a bit of space. If you had a bit more room in your office, what could you do with it? Add a few more desks for another desk, or create a vibrant meeting space to wow your clients? It’s time for a bit of a clear out, and to consider whether you are really making the best use of your floor space.
Declutter your mind, and your space
A tidy work environment can help your creativity. Over time we collect plenty of excess clutter – on our desks and around the edges of the office. Have you still got promotional material lying about from last year’s offers, or old and broken computers piled up in the corner, waiting for someone to do something with them.
A nice clean workspace is not only inviting, but it can lift our mood. Clear out the debris from last year and be ruthless with the paperwork piling up. If you really need to keep old files, but don’t need them to hand, then consider archiving storage solutions. Our own units come prepared with racking and collection options, so all you need to do is fill your boxes.
Redecorate and revitalise your mind
If you want to go all the way, how about a completely fresh look in your office. There is a lot said about the way colour affects mood. Blue colours promote concentration, while yellow will create positivity and happiness. Green is a calming, balanced colour, great for an office where you work long hours, while red is an exciting colour to use in a busy, more physical workplace.
The easiest way to get your new look is to move all the furniture out of the way and into a temporary self-storage unit. Then the decorators can get in quickly, and give the whole space a fresh lick of paint.
When you bring the desks back into the space, consider rearranging things so that you have a nice view out of the window, or make the most of the natural light. Bring in some greenery in with lovely plants; not only do they brighten the room, they add oxygen to the air, helping to keep your teams alert.
Create a fun space
All work and no rest makes all your staff a little grumpy. A great way to boost morale in your office is to show them how much you value them. A new coffee machine may be a good start, but how about creating a cheerful and relaxing corner where they can take a break, have a gossip and bond a little. Not every office has space for a pool table – but some comfy sofas make a great start.
If you want some help in revitalising your work place, we are on hand to share our space with you. From short-term storage for your redecoration to secure storage for your business archiving, we have plenty of ways to help. Call today on 0121 250 5055 to see how much space you need.
T’is the season to be jolly – and right here in the Midlands there is plenty of festive fun to be had. We have rounded up a few of the fabulous Christmas events happening locally, so if you want to get into the spirit of things, you don’t have far to look.
Christmas Markets
Wandering through the twinkling lights, carol singers in the background and packet of roast chestnuts in hand – there’s nothing like a Christmas market to get your shopping started.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market – 7 Nov to 23 Dec 2019
The annual Christmas market in the centre of Birmingham is definitely worth a visit. The largest German market outside of Germany or Austria, the huge range of stalls will take some time to stroll through, with glass baubles, handcrafted wooden decorations and a choice of snacks to sustain you while you shop.
The festive atmosphere makes this a lovely way to start the festivities, particularly as the day darkens and the lights come on. If you are taking children, you may want to go earlier though to avoid the huge crowds.
Buzzards Valley Artisan Market – 8 Dec 2019
It may be a little smaller, but the Buzzards Valley Artisan Market still packs a festive punch. Packed out with local businesses, from food producers, homewares, gifts, jewellery and more, you will find unique and personal Christmas gifts for every member of the family. Make sure you don’t miss out, get this very British Christmas market in your diary.
Sutton Coldfield Christmas Food and Craft Fair – 18 Dec 2019
Visit the Parade on the 18th for the annual Sutton Coldfield Food and Craft fair. With over 30 stalls you’ll soon fill your bags with tasty treats and stocking fillers as you explore the range of gifts
Pantomime
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the fun of a traditional pantomime, and not just for the children. There are some truly wonderful shows on every year, so you have your pick of performances to get you in the mood.
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall are bringing the story of Aladdin to the stage this year, so be prepared for magic and flying carpets in far off lands.
Join Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Birmingham Hippodrome to defeat the evil queen this December.
You can go to the ball with Cinderella at The Lichfield Garrick – but make sure you have your best shoes on.
Family festive fun
There are plenty of other ways to join in the festive spirit this December if panto doesn’t appeal.
Lichfield Cathedral has a range of different events, starting with their spectacular annual light show from 16th to 21st December. See the entire cathedral illuminated in a journey through Space, Light and Time.
If you are a fan of the animated film The Snowman, experience it as you never have before, with a live orchestra performing the musical score on 27th December. A captivating experience and a wonderful way to introduce children to various instruments.
Drop into the Gracechurch Centre in Sutton Coldfield throughout December for a selection of activities. Don’t forget to visit Santa in his grotto up to the 24th December, and then pop into The Winter Garden to make your own wreath or tree decoration – available on different dates.
It’s not too late to get tickets to the Santa Safari at West Midlands Safari Park. Enjoy a visit to see the animals, and then hop aboard the sleigh. Santa’s elves will magically transport you to visit Santa, where you can tell him what you most want for Christmas, before joining the elves in their workshop. With a winter wonderland trail and a quick stop at Mrs Claus’ kitchen, you’ll have a fantastic family day out.
Finally, if there is one magical Christmas event you don’t want to miss, it’s the Polar Express steam train, running from Moor Street Station to the North Pole. With dancing, singing and plenty of hot chocolate and a visit from Father Christmas, this is a trip that will delight younger children, older children and adults alike.
The Midlands certainly has the festive feeling this December. If you have a local event taking place this December, let us know.
It may have started in America, but as with many things, self-storage is rapidly becoming more popular in the UK. More and more storage providers are opening for business and, according to the SSAUK, approximately 13% of households have used self-storage at some point.
With increasing numbers of homeowners and commercial businesses turning to self-storage as a simple and cost-effective solution to their storage needs, here’s a look at some of the more common reasons they do.
More bedrooms in the home
If you are expecting a new baby, you’ll need to turn your home office into a safe haven for tiny fingers. But you won’t want to get rid of the existing furniture – before long your baby will be moving back into big sized beds and wanting desks of their own.
Home office to work office
Talking of your home office, as your business expands you don’t want to keep boxes of stock in your house and taking over your hallways. The downside of working from home is that you can never quite escape it – but having a small office set up in your own storage unit keeps costs down, and your home life separate.
Moving house
When you are moving home a temporary bit of storage can come in useful. Declutter your current home and stage it for a quick sale, or store all your excess stuff until you are settled in to your new home and you’re ready to unpack at leisure.
A secure place for your tools
If your business depends on your equipment, it’s vital that you keep it safe and secure. Keeping tools in your van is risky, when one burglary later and you have not only lost expensive gear, you may well lose a few days work as well. Keeping tools in self-storage gives you a well-protected lock up and a place to repair, clean and maintain your tools as well.
Merging homes
You may be moving in with your partner, or your elderly relatives may be moving in with you. Either way, that’s two houses full of furniture, beds, kitchen utensils, plates, books, and bedding that need sorting through and thinning out. Using self-storage to keep things in means you don’t have to get rid of anything you love but have no space for, and you can take your time in dealing with the rest to get the best deals.
Seasonal storage
There are certain times of the year when you need to boost your stock – Christmas being the obvious one. Making sure you are ready for seasonal sales means ordering in additional products. With more room you can get more than you need, so you don’t have to turn down sales. Short term storage contracts make the perfect solution – your home or shop remains uncluttered, and your boxes don’t get crushed and damaged in small spaces.
Renovating your home or office
From simple redecorating to knocking down walls and remodelling rooms, renovating always creates a lot more mess than you expect. Move all your furniture or important office equipment out of the way for the duration, and you’ll avoid paint on your sofa or damage to your printer.
At Cookes Storage our units are available in a variety of sizes and with short and long term flexible contracts, so that you only pay for the space you need, for as long as you need it. With CCTV, PIN code entry and indoor units, you have all the security and protection you need to keep your stuff dry, safe and secure.
If you haven’t considered self-storage until now, let’s talk. We have all the space you need.
Christmas is coming – in fact, as a business owner you are already thinking ahead and preparing for it. If you sell products, you’re probably already waist high in boxes of stock. But why are you cramming it into your shop already, when we have another solution?
There are a number of benefits of using self-storage for your seasonal stock – both for your own peace of mind, and to help you maximise your profits this festive season.
More space means more Christmas stock
Christmas may be your busiest time of year, and you really want to maximise on profit. How frustrating is it to run out of your top-selling products and see your competitors taking your sales?
With a self-storage unit you can order in plenty of extra stock so that you know you have enough to make every customer happy. With a range of unit sizes, we have all the space you need – your very own warehouse, making your online shop as large as any major retailer.
The season of peace and goodwill for online sellers
Christmas is a time of peace and goodwill – when our homes fill up with extra family coming to stay, overexcited children home from school and furniture squashed to one side to make way for a twinkling tree.
If you are an online retailer working from home, the last thing you need at Christmas is to fill the spare room and hallway with giant boxes. Keep the peace and goodwill at home by moving your stock out.
Health and Safety at work
It’s not necessarily the first thing you think of when you’re ordering in your stock, but it has to go somewhere. If you have a high street shop, with customers browsing your shelves out front and staff filling orders in the back, you don’t want to risk hurting anyone from an overbalanced avalanche of boxes.
Keep your passageways clear and your fires doors accessible, your staff room clear and your shop spacious, with a second storeroom.
Avoid negative reviews and fill more orders
With so much extra stock to shift it’s not surprising things get misplaced. The competition for online retailers is fierce, with negative reviews doing a lot of damage to your sales. Customers want to know their purchases will be posted quickly, and that you have everything in stock as they buy it.
With extra space in your self-storage unit, you can place boxes of stock on racking – which we can supply – so that your products are easy to find, organised, and less likely to be damaged or crushed by the boxes on top.
You’ll be able to keep track of your stock, find and ship it quickly and keep your positive reviews coming in.
A cost-effective expansion for your business
There are plenty of benefits to self-storage contracts with Cookes. Our contracts are flexible and we offer great rates for short-term contracts – so you get seasonal space without long-term tie-ins.
Our CCTV and PIN coded access give you the extra security you need to be sure your additional seasonal stock won’t attract the wrong attention.
Our storage units are indoors – dry, clean and ready-prepared with racking if you need it.
We’ll even come and get your stock for you, saving you transport from your shop to your storage unit. And once you are set up, you can have new orders delivered directly to your unit.
Once in your unit, all you need to do is bring along the orders to create your own packing and distribution warehouse – just until the festive frenzy is over and you’re ready for the January sales.