Category: advice

Business networking is a vital tool for small and local businesses in Sutton Coldfield. By building strong connections with other professionals, sharing insights, and collaborating on projects, businesses can expand their reach and client base while staying informed about industry trends. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of business networking in Sutton Coldfield and provide you with a list of local networking events. We’ll also explain how Cookes Storage can support your business with office rentals and storage solutions.

The Power of Business Networking in Sutton Coldfield

Engaging in business networking offers numerous benefits:

  • New Opportunities: Meet potential clients, collaborators, or suppliers who can help your business grow.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Learn from the experiences of other professionals in your area.
  • Increased Visibility: Regularly attending networking events keeps your business top of mind in the local community.
  • Support System: Build relationships with like-minded individuals who understand the challenges of running a business.

By tapping into the resources provided through local networking events, Sutton Coldfield businesses can create meaningful connections and unlock growth potential.

Top Networking Events in Sutton Coldfield

To help you get started with business networking in Sutton Coldfield, here’s a list of key events and groups:

How Cookes Storage Can Help Your Business Grow

At Cookes Storage in Sutton Coldfield, we offer services designed to help businesses thrive.

  • Office Spaces: Our offices, available in 541 sqft and 843 sqft sizes, include on-site parking and utilities. These flexible workspaces provide an ideal environment for local businesses to establish their operations.
  • Storage Units: With storage solutions ranging from 10ft² lockers to 300ft² rooms, we can accommodate your business needs, whether it’s storing stock, equipment, or records.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our premises are clean, secure, and monitored with 24-hour CCTV, ensuring your belongings are safe and accessible when you need them.

Learn more about our office spaces and storage solutions on our website: Cookes Storage.

Make the Most of Business Networking in Sutton Coldfield

Combining the benefits of local networking events with the professional facilities at Cookes Storage can set your business on a path to success. By engaging with the vibrant business community in Sutton Coldfield and utilising our tailored services, you can achieve your growth goals with ease.

Start networking today, and let Cookes Storage provide the foundation for your business to flourish!

The holiday season is a time of joy, family, and plenty of decorations. But once the Christmas festivities are over, many of us are left wondering how to store all those holiday treasures efficiently. From delicate ornaments to tangled string lights and piles of wrapping paper, putting everything away can seem like a daunting task.

To help you get organised and create space for the new year, we’ve compiled a few practical tips on how to store your Christmas items safely and efficiently. Whether you’re looking for ornament storage, wrapping paper storage, or decorations storage, these tips will ensure your holiday items are neatly packed away and ready for next season.

1. Start with Clean, Organised Storage Containers

The key to good storage is to use the right containers. Avoid flimsy cardboard boxes that can get crushed or exposed to moisture. Instead, opt for durable plastic bins with secure lids, which will protect your items from dust, dirt, and pests. Clear plastic containers are ideal because they allow you to see the contents without having to open them.

When choosing containers, consider the following:

  • Ornament Storage: Use divided bins or ornament storage boxes to keep delicate items safe and organised. You can find boxes with individual compartments to protect fragile glass ornaments or smaller decorations. For extra protection, line the compartments with tissue paper or bubble wrap.
  • Wrapping Paper Storage: Long, flat containers are perfect for storing wrapping paper rolls. You can also use a designated wrapping paper storage box with compartments for ribbons, gift tags, and bows, keeping everything in one place.
  • General Decorations Storage: Use bins of various sizes for storing wreaths, garlands, lights, and larger holiday items. Consider using a wardrobe box for larger fabric items like tablecloths or tree skirts.

Our in store Box Shop is the perfect place to get all your storage and packaging supplies – pop in store today, and a member of our team would be happy to help you.

2. Use Labelling to Stay Organised

When it comes to storing holiday items, it’s easy to forget what’s in each box, especially when you’re dealing with multiple containers. Labelling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay organised.

Use strong, waterproof labels or masking tape to clearly mark the contents of each box. Be specific in your labels, such as “Christmas Ornaments – Glass” or “Wrapping Paper & Bows”. You can also colour-code your boxes (e.g., red for ornaments, green for lights) to make identification even easier.

For added convenience, create an inventory list of your holiday items, either digitally or on paper. This will help you quickly locate what you need when the holiday season rolls around again.

3. Store Fragile Items with Extra Care

Your delicate Christmas ornaments, heirloom decorations, and sentimental pieces deserve extra protection. To prevent them from getting damaged, use the following storage tips:

  • Wrap Each Item Individually: Wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper, bubble wrap, or cloth to cushion them during storage. This is particularly important for glass ornaments, which can easily break if not properly packed.
  • Store in Divided Bins: As mentioned earlier, using divided ornament storage boxes will help keep fragile items secure and prevent them from shifting around inside the container.
  • Avoid Overpacking: Make sure not to cram too many items into a box. Overpacked containers can put pressure on delicate decorations, leading to damage.

4. Maximise Vertical Space in Your Storage Area

Whether you’re using your attic, basement, closet, or self storage unit, maximising vertical space can help you make the most of your storage area. Stack boxes neatly and use shelves to keep things off the floor. This will free up space and make it easier to access your decorations when you need them. If you have limited space in your home, consider storing larger items like artificial Christmas trees in the corner of your garage, basement or self storage rental unit.

5. Use Self Storage as a Solution for Excess Items

If you don’t have enough space at home to store all your Christmas decorations, or if you have a large collection of holiday items, self storage can be a great option. Renting a self storage unit gives you extra space to store everything from Christmas trees to inflatable yard decorations. It also allows you to free up valuable space in your home while keeping your items safe and organised.

Our self storage facilities offer a variety of unit sizes, so you can choose one that best suits your needs. Get in touch with our team today to find out more.

6. Take Advantage of a Box Shop for Packing Supplies

For the best protection, it’s essential to have the right packing materials. Our self storage facilities offer a Box Shop where you can purchase packaging supplies designed for storing holiday items. These supplies can include:

  • Bubble wrap for cushioning fragile ornaments
  • Packing peanuts to fill gaps and prevent movement in boxes
  • Plastic storage bins to keep decorations protected from dust and moisture
  • Wardrobe boxes for larger fabric items like tablecloths, stockings, or tree skirts

Having the right supplies ensures that your Christmas items are well-protected and organised, so they’re ready to go when next year’s holiday season arrives.

7. Plan Ahead for Easy Access

As you pack away your holiday items, think about how you’ll need to access them next year. Place the items you’ll want to access first—like lights and tree ornaments—near the top or front of your storage area. Store larger, less frequently used items like inflatable yard decorations or extra wrapping paper towards the back or bottom.

Organising and storing your Christmas items doesn’t have to be stressful. By using the right storage solutions—such as sturdy bins, proper wrapping, and clear labelling—you can keep your decorations safe and easily accessible for years to come. Whether you’re storing your Christmas items in your home or opting for self storage, following these tips will help ensure your holiday treasures remain in great condition, ready to spread cheer when the next Christmas season arrives.

Ready to get started? Make this year’s post-holiday clean-up a breeze by getting organised now—and keep your Christmas memories safe and sound for years to come!

You can probably see from the increase in storage businesses around the UK that there is a rising demand for units. They can be a cost-effective and simple solution for business and personal use.

But before you jump into your first self-storage unit, what do you need to know? Here is our beginner’s guide to choosing the right facility.

What are you using the unit for?

It may seem obvious but consider what you need to store first. Are you planning on long-term storage of belongings you won’t need often? If you’re storing furniture you don’t have space for at home, or your household goods while you go travelling, take a look at facilities that are further out from the town centre as they may have lower fees. Here at Cookes Storage, we have stores in Stratford-upon-Avon and Sutton Coldfield, so your midlands self storage is never far away.

How much space will you need?

Working out what size unit you need can be quite complicated. But don’t worry—you can always ask one of our team for guidance or visit our units to help you visualize the dimensions.

If you are storing furniture for the long term, you may not need as big a unit as you first think. A well-packed unit includes height, as well as width. You can stack well-balanced boxes all the way to the ceiling.

When you plan to use your unit for more practical reasons, such as an extension of your garage, somewhere to keep bikes or tools, or as a business unit, you’ll need more space to allow for accessibility, making it easier to move about inside.

How flexible is your self-storage contract?

When you’re planning on running a business from self-storage, or moving home, you may not be sure how long you need the unit for or what size you’ll need to start with.

Always take a look at the contract terms to begin with and see how flexible they are. Some facilities offer simple terms that allow you to cancel your contract if you need to leave earlier than planned or to move into a larger unit if your business is expanding faster than you expected. You’ll also want to know whether there is a penalty if you do leave earlier. At Cookes Storage, we offer short term and long term contracts to suit your needs.

 

Always look at the financials.

Make sure you understand how the payments are structured. Do you make regular monthly payments or, especially if you want a longer term rental, is there a minimum upfront payment? Although most storage units include utilities such as lighting in the rental fee, always ask first. And, if you want to run a business from your unit, check whether adding power, running a heater and easy access to WIFI will be an issue.

 

Location, access and security are important.

A storage facility inside a city centre may have higher rates, but if it’s closer to your client base or home, the extra cost may be worth it. For homeowners who need daily access, a unit right next to the train station or within walking distance may be a key factor.

Businesses who will be in and out through the day may choose something outside of town with a larger car park. However, you also need to find out how simple access is outside of working hours or at weekends, when your business may still be running.

Whichever you choose, make sure you look at the security options. Is the unit manned or have excellent CCTV? Some facilities allow 24 hour access with a key card or PIN code to the main doors. Modern facilities may also have PIN code access to your individual unit. If not, you’ll need to factor in supplying your own padlock.

 

The final details.

It’s always important that you read your Terms and Conditions before you enter into a contract, and clarify anything you’re not sure of.

Small details can cause big issues, so ask questions such as:

Will there be a trolley handy, or people available to help you carry your items in when you arrive?

What sort of thing can you store in your unit?

What can’t you store, such as food items?

What kind of business can you run? Are you allowed to run appliances such as fridge or freezer units?

What insurance will you need?

Finally, although these may be minimal or unavoidable, there are a few extra costs such as your padlock, robust storage boxes and racking in your unit if needed.

Although there is a lot to consider, planning ahead means you’ll find the best storage facility for your needs first time, and won’t have any issues once settled in. If you have any questions, please do just ask. We’re happy to answer all your queries and show you around.

The self-storage industry in the UK is growing, with an increase of 8.1% over the last year according to industry reports. Homeowners, businesses and entrepreneurs are all finding self-storage a useful option when they need more space. It’s flexible, secure, safe and dry, and offers short and long-term storage. But is it cost effective?

Saving costs on office space

The average cost of renting office space across the country in 2024 is £35 a square foot. When you’re based in a city centre, you could be paying a premium. Birmingham office space is estimated at £300 per person per month, while even an economical office averages £455 per desk in London. For micro businesses and SME’s where every penny counts, smaller office space is also much harder to find.

Even as businesses face rising costs, there are ways to save on your space. It’s all a matter of reassessing how you use it. Prioritising your needs – and looking for alternative options to make the most of every corner of your current office.

If your biggest need is room for people – with desks, staff breakout and meeting rooms your priority, you don’t want to lose space to storage. Corners, cupboards and rooms taken up with old furniture, marketing materials and filing is taking up space that is costing your business money.

Saving costs on home living

As the cost-of-living features as an ongoing topic of conversation, the housing market seems to be heading upwards. House prices have increased by 1.4% so far in 2024, according to Zoopla. It might be good if you are selling, but less so for anyone considering upsizing for more space, especially once you add on the additional costs of moving, such as estate agent fees, conveyancing and the cost of moving.

Rental prices are going up as well, by 8.7% in the last 12 months. When your monthly rent averages £1,300 in England, moving to a larger property with higher rates is going to be a big commitment.

Self-storage as a cost-saving alternative to gain more space

While we’re all focused on saving on expenses, the idea of adding the cost of a self-storage unit may not seem to be the best option. But when you consider the potential there are actually huge benefits.

Self-storage contracts are flexible, so you can choose a short-term option. For homebuyers, this gives you time to allow the economy to settle down, or to save up for your house move, while solving your immediate space dilemma.

What do you need more space for? If you have a young family, a lot of room is likely taken up with toys, pushchairs and clothes, however the amount of equipment and size of toys children have is inversely proportional to the size of the child. As they get bigger, their gadgets get smaller, and you’ll need less storage space.

If you’re living in a flat in the city and need somewhere to store your sports gear and camping equipment, a storage locker will be more cost-effective than a larger flat, and you can have access to your items whenever you need it.

Growing a business in storage

Businesses also often need short term space – for seasonal goods or to allow for a temporary staff increase, perhaps for project work. That means you can move the filing out of your storage room and create a new office or temporary meeting room with ease.

Small businesses that need a secure storage option for stock or tools will find a storage option a better business decision than taking on premises, especially if they don’t plan on being open to the public. Business premises incur rates, utilities and insurance on top of the rent, and you are responsible for the upkeep of the security and meeting H&S and fire regulations. With storage units, it’s all taken care of.

If you’re still not sure that a storage unit is the cost-effective space you need, why not get in touch today. Once we understand what you primarily need space for, we can help you calculate the size of unit you’ll need and give you an idea of costs. At Cookes Storage, we have the perfect storage solution for you.

You’re leaving your student house for the summer – or maybe even planning a year of travel. There’s just one problem. You’ve got bikes, clothes, textbooks, hiking boots, TVs, pots and pans and all your other possessions, and nowhere to put them.

Of course, you could pack it all up and take it back to your parents’ garage. But if you’re a long way from home, without transport or don’t have the time to pack and carry it all before you head off for summer fun, that’s not always the easiest option.

This is when short-term self-storage units are a great solution. You’ve got the space you need – the equivalent of an extra cupboard up to a shed, or even a garage if you think you need it – with flexible contracts and plenty of security. If that sounds ideal, here are some great tips for making more of your self-storage.

Top tips for student storage

  1. Share with a friend. If you’re in between study years and staying with the same housemates next term, consider getting a storage unit together. You’ll both save on costs.
  2. Ask the storage company for advice on how much space you’ll really need. They have the expertise, after all. Remember that you need to think in terms of height as well as floor space, as you can stack your boxes up to the roof of your unit.
  3. If you’re looking for ways to save on costs, then picking the cheapest unit isn’t always the best solution, especially if it’s farther away from your rental and you need to hire a van to move your belongings. It’s an expense that you need to factor in.
  4. Ask your storage company if they offer help to collect belongings or have deals on van rental or the cost of boxes. Our box shop contains all the packaging supplies you will need to safely store your items.
  5. If you choose a self-storage provider with outdoor units, you’ll need to factor in damp and, potentially, rodents as part of your packing plan. Indoor facilities should be dry and rodent-free.
  6. Pack carefully, so nothing is damaged in transit. Clothes and shoes should be clean and dry, kitchen items may need to be bubble-wrapped and most storage companies won’t allow food items. In outdoor units, pack fabrics in plastic containers to keep rodents out.
  7. As you stack your items in storage, place the heavier items at the bottom. Although cardboard boxes may seem an expense, buying them from your storage company means they will be sturdy and a similar size, making it easier to stack them. Good packing and stacking make the most of the space you have available.
  8. Remember to ask about the notice period to end your storage. When you come to collect your items, ready for your new term at university, you don’t want to pay for an extra week of empty storage.

Our student self-storage options have been designed with you in mind. If you’re looking for summer storage, or something a little longer while you explore the globe, then we’ve got flexible terms at great rates. Give us a call on 0121 250 5055 or email us to find out more.

We all talk about being stressed. It’s common terminology that describes feeling overwhelmed, anxious, irritable or angry. If you ask why someone is stressed, they will likely associate it with work, or a major event such as family illness or organising a house move.

However, other things can trigger feelings of stress, and our environment is one of them. Living or working in a cluttered and messy environment raises the hormone cortisol – and that triggers anxiety and tension.

How does clutter impact on your workday?

If you’ve ever worked in a busy and noisy environment, you’ll know how hard it can be to concentrate. The constant noise and distractions are obvious interruptions to your work.

Clutter is less obvious, but the impact it can have on your ability to work is just as big. A cluttered desk or workplace is full of stimuli, all impacting on your brain and preventing you from getting things done or being creative. A clear, empty desk or a calmer environment will allow you to concentrate more.

Being distracted isn’t the only irritant. Clutter impacts on practical aspects of your job. It will take longer to find things you need or impede your movements around the workplace.

Whether it’s slowing you down physically or impacting on your concentration, clutter is reducing your productivity and preventing you from doing the job to the best of your ability. And, with that leading to backlogs, getting behind on targets or just feeling like you’re not working at your best, it all adds to your stress levels.

Living in a cluttered environment

Living in a cluttered home may cause similar issues. How often do you have to hunt about for your keys, or search cluttered worktops for items you need? Just small moments like this can lead to frustration.

But, when piles of stuff around your home grow too much, they don’t just irritate. Piles of boxes or stacks of magazines, bags of clothes and other clutter start to take up a lot of space. That makes your home feel smaller and restricts your exercise and moving about. If walking about your home becomes a hurdle, you are less likely to do it, reducing your physical movement but also impacting on your enjoyment of your home and your quality of life.

The overstimulation from clutter in your home will be pinging your brain at all times. That prevents you from relaxing and getting a good night’s sleep. Poor sleep quality leads to low mood and depression.

The emotional impact of clutter

Whether it’s your workplace or your home, stress caused by clutter piles up on your emotional wellbeing. Trying to think coherently when your brain is constantly overstimulated is exhausting and leads to mental fatigue.

Sharing a home that is filled with stuff can have negative impacts on your house mates as well. Clutter and lack of space leads to arguments and may cause a  breakdown in friendships and relationships.

People who live in cluttered homes report feelings of guilt and embarrassment, and in extreme cases it can prevent you from inviting people to your home, leaving you isolated. Loneliness can have a serious impact on your mental health.

Taking control of your clutter

While it’s true that some of these scenarios may relate to extreme cases, even small amounts of general clutter negatively impacts on our emotional wellbeing. Stress from work, a lack of enjoyment in your home and a lower quality of life are all going to lead to poor mental health.

And while the solution may seem clear, the act of decluttering can feel like a huge step. We hold on to things for many reasons – sentimentality, the feeling of comfort they bring, the emotional connection to memories or as a promise for the future, such as your piles of travel brochures.

The thought of decluttering is overwhelming, and there is safety in keeping everything the same. But, if you’re already feeling down or depressed as a result of your environment, even a small change may have a big impact.

When getting rid of everything is too much, then a self-storage unit can be a great first step. Start by creating piles, one for items that can go in the bin, one for charity, and one for items that you want to keep. You’ll also have a fourth pile, which is for items that you cannot decide about. Move these items to your self-storage unit. At Cookes we are on hand to help with whatever your storage needs – get in touch with our team today to see how we can help declutter your space.

Once you have more space in your home, you’ll feel better and have the time to choose what you need, and what you really do not miss. Then you can take your time choosing what you need once your home is clearer and your mental well-being has improved.

Further support on mental health and decreasing stress can be found on the Mind Charity website here.