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Snooping parents reveal how they keep tabs on their children Over a third of parents admit they continue to spy on their children after they become an adult Weirdest things found by invasive parents revealed Nearly two thirds of parents (61%) have admitted to spying on their children, according to new research. The survey of 1,000 British parents*, carried out by self-storage experts, Space Station, found that more than a third (38%) don’t trust their children and therefore go to great lengths to ensure they know as much as possible about what they get up to. Viewing photos on a child’s phone (29%) was the most common way for parents to regularly invade their youngster’s personal space, closely followed by reading a child’s texts (28%). A surprising 27% of parents admitted to viewing their offspring’s internet history, while just under a quarter (22%) claimed to have logged into their children’s social media […]

First time buyers staying put for longer, new research shows Today’s first-time buyers are 1.5 times more likely than their parents were to stay in their first home more than 10 years 1 in 3 house buyers struggle to save a deposit today – compared to only one in 20 who bought their home 20-30 years ago – which could make them reluctant to move on quickly ‘Second steppers’ also struggle to buy their second home without support from parents, forcing people to stay put for longer 43% are now considering spending money on improving their homes rather than moving Millennials are 1.5 times more likely to make their first home their forever home, compared to their parents’ generation, new research has revealed. The 2,000-person survey, which was carried out by self-storage company, Space Station, asked 1,000 Brits who are currently preparing to buy a house and 1,000 Brits who […]

According to research, it is estimated that there are 4.2 million home-based workers in the UK. This is nearly a quarter of a million more than the previous 10 years and works out at around one in seven of the people currently in work. Experts agree that when it comes to working from home, personalising your home office – with anything from inventive storage creations to feature walls – can help to unleash creativity and boost morale upon even the most gruelling days ‘at work’. So, to help aid UK home workers creativity, self-storage company, Space Station, has teamed up with a series of leading interior experts to offer advice on how to achieve the ultimate inspiring office space and they are running a competition to find the UK’s best home office, too. Here are their top tips. 1. Choose a colour that represents your personality People often underestimate the […]

Last year, the world was made aware of the impact that plastics are having on our environment by David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 2 documentary. As a result, we were inspired to try to live sustainably to save our planet, but what exactly is sustainable living and how can we incorporate this into our daily lives? Sustainable living is all about sourcing our food, water and shelter in environmentally friendly ways, so that we do not compromise the earth’s natural resources for future generations. To lead a completely sustainable life, we need to cut down on pollution, use less natural resources and replenish what we use. To help the nation become more eco-friendly, self storage provider, Space Station, who set themselves their own personal target of halving their carbon footprint within three years , has put together their top tips on sustainable living for beginners. Turn off devices Whilst it can […]

With the end of winter in sight, many Brits will be turning their attention to a spring clean of their home. Decluttering unwanted items is a great place to start, but could you be throwing away a small fortune? From old books to stuffed toys and board games to ancient tech, old clutter can be a potential gold mine that could earn you thousands of pounds, if you know what to look out for. To help you make money from your old unused clutter, storage expert, Vlatka Lake from Space Station, has revealed the old items you should look out for in your loft as they regularly sell for three, four, five and even six figure sums! What to look out for Beanie Babies – up to £350,000 They were all the rage back in the nineties, but if you still have a few hanging around in your loft, don’t […]

As a storage space provider, Space Station always try to create the best possible storage conditions for customers. One of the biggest conditions to bear in mind is humidity and temperature, which, if not managed correctly, can have a very negative effect on items being stored. If you’re storing art, fabrics, papers, electronics, metals, wine, wooden furniture or any other item that doesn’t respond well to moisture or differences in heat, it’s important you store them in a facility that has a controlled climate, and at Space Station, we do this with the help of Rola Trac flooring. What is Rola Trac? Rola Trac is a type of temporary flooring that has been designed to be robust, easy-to-place and non-slip. Used for a massive range of purposes, from outdoor events surfacing to creating pedestrian walkways, all the way to providing temporary helipads for the military, Rola Trac is also useful […]

There’s a reason why plenty of motorists love classic cars. Older motors, with their elegant lines, pared-down interiors and thrumming engines are a world apart from even the slickest of today’s autos, but given their age, they need to be treated with care and respect. Storing classic cars is a common thing to do if the vehicle isn’t going to be driven for a while or needs to be protected from bad wintry weather, but there’s more to it than covering it with a tarp. By taking the right steps you can ensure your classic is in tip-top condition when you want to take it for a spin. Before you store There are a few steps you should take care of before you store away your classic car to help ensure no problems manifest themselves while it’s sat in storage. Do a deep clean Always thoroughly clean a classic car […]

Whether you’re moving to your dream home, getting your foot on the first rung of the property ladder or doing a little downsizing, chances are you’re probably not looking forward to the logistical side of moving house. Thankfully, with enough preparation and planning, moving house doesn’t have to be an organisationalnightmare, especially when paired with self-storage units that can take the strain out of moving day. Useful resources If you’re planning a house move, there are loads of resources you can use to get on track: Right Move Removals – Arguably the UK’s most well-known property site, Right Move has removal company and man with van listings for the whole of the UK. Moveme.com – With listings for practically every profession you might want a quote from during your move, and the ability to compare deals on entertainment and utilities, Moveme.com has it all. UKCrimeStats.com – If you’re contemplating a […]

As a business, it’s essential to keep a record of your important documents. Whether that includes contracts, financial transaction records or other essential information, businesses are often legally required to keep a history in physical document form, even if a digital form exists too. However, the need to keep a detailed record can often pose a challenge. Keeping a physical record of documents that don’t need to be accessed every day, but that can’t be thrown away, can leave you short of space, particularly if your business operates from small premises, or even from your home! Finding storage space off-site is a great option to keep your important files safe, but what are the benefits of self-storage for businesses, and why should you consider it? Why storage matters Not only can keeping box upon box of documents out the way of your employees help to create a more pleasant environment […]

There are a number of ways people use self-storage to help their business – for example, it can be a secure way to store excess stock without the steep up-front costs of investing in a warehouse. However, there’s another way self-storage can help ordinary people make some extra cash on the side. Many people have a spare bedroom in their house, especially older people whose kids have grown up and left the nest. This room often lies neglected and becomes a general storage space, but there could be a better way to use it: put what you want to keep in a secure self-storage unit, and rent out the room to lodgers or travellers. The Rent a Room Scheme Since 1997, homeowners have been able to rent out a furnished spare room in their houses and can earn up to £7,500 tax-free a year for doing so. This threshold used […]

If you’re a business owner, you’re probably familiar with the problem of needing more room than you have. With square footage at a premium across many of the UK’s major cities, it’s not as easy as it once was to fit everything you need to operate your business into your premises. This can lead to tricky decisions: do you try to find the money to expand, or scale down your operations to fit the space you can afford? Fortunately, there is another way. Self-storage facilities can be a real boon for small business owners: in fact, the latest figures from the Self Storage Association found that 70% of the enterprises that use them have ten employees or fewer. When you use self-storage, all costs of maintenance, cleaning and security are covered within the contract, making it simple to budget and to calculate a business case for. In this post we’ll […]

What is self storage? Put simply, self storage is renting some extra space for yourself or your business. When you rent a storage unit, you get a secure space that’s accessible only to you that you can put almost anything you like in. Storage units can be anything from a locker measuring 10 square feet to a 2,000 square foot unit the size of a tennis court. Whatever size you choose, your unit is highly secure – only you have the key, and our facilities are alarmed and protected by CCTV. A few of the common reasons people use self storage include: Choosing a self-storage facility When choosing a storage facility and unit, it’s important to think about how you’re going to use it. Ask yourself these questions: Don’t worry too much if you don’t know the answers to all of these right away: life can be unpredictable, after all. […]

It may seem like there’s a never-ending list of things to do when you’re moving house, but breaking everything down into manageable chunks and spreading each task over a few weeks can make a world of difference. Timing, and doing things in the right order, helps lots too. Discovering a load of junk in the loft the day before you move is a sure-fire way to put you off schedule! That’s why our expert storage team have devised the essential moving house checklist, guiding you on what you need to do, and when to do it, to ensure your move is as organised and as stress-free as possible. If you do suddenly find lots of clutter and can’t make sense of it before moving into your new home, you don’t need to worry. Our bespoke moving house storage plans are CCTV-secure, providing the safe space you need until you’re ready […]

Our business is all about security, so it stands to reason that we know a good padlock when we see one. While your belongings are protected in a number of ways here at Space Station – including CCTV, perimeter fences and night security staff – the last line of defence is the padlock on your storage unit, a pretty simple but effective piece of technology. Padlocks have been around a long time – they were used by merchants of the Roman Empire to protect goods when travelling the trade routes to China, and padlocks with spring-loaded mechanisms were found at the Jorvik Viking settlement in York. The fact they’ve survived for so long, and changed so little, shows they’re a good idea. However, not all padlocks are created equal, and they can cost anything from a few pounds to over £1,000. The difference is largely in the materials used and […]

Do you have an office or creative space at home that is your pride and joy or that you think other people might be interested to see? We’re looking for the nation’s best home office spaces, from sleek minimalist designs to cosy spaces that get your creative juices flowing. Whether you work entirely from home, or you just use your space as a creative outlet, we would love to hear from you. We want to know all about your home office – where did you get the design inspiration and what makes your office space special to you? How does your home office encourage you to work and what is it primarily used for? The winner will receive a £100 voucher to spend at the online retailer Not on The High Street and a chance for your interior magic to feature in the UK’s best home office roundup. To enter, […]

From lockets to old postcards, keepsakes can be reminders of a loved one, a special moment in our lives or a memory we don’t want to fade. Some items that are passed down or collected over the years might seem unusual on the face of it, but actually have a really special story behind them. Do you have an unusual item that has been inherited from friends or family, or an item that you have had for years and cannot bear to part with? If this sounds like you, or someone you know, we need YOU to enter our competition by sending in your best photos. We want to know the story behind your keepsake – who gave it to you, where you got it and why your entry has a special meaning to you? The best entry will win a £100 Not on the High Street voucher to spend on personalised items that will […]

Welcome to the Autumn edition of The Edit. Summer has been and gone (did it ever come?!) and the nights are drawing in. We’ve had Halloween and Bonfire night and now we’re heading into the festive season with Christmas fast approaching! We’ve got lots of news to share with you from fundraising to staff and store celebrations as well as a brand new offering at our Slough store… Fetes, fashion and running faster! Having passed the half way mark of our fundraising for Variety the Children’s Charity we have continued fundraising over the Summer, to get us closer to our £20,000 goal. There have been fetes, raffles and most recently a Charity Fashion Show which raised over £600 alone! Vlatka, our Marketing Manager is busy training for her two half marathons – if you’d like to cheer Vlatka on with a sponsorship donation please visit her fundraising page. We’re sure […]

It’s no secret that rents across the UK are skyrocketing as the number of houses being built are outstripped by lots of house hunters looking for a place to settle down. It’s leading to record house prices– between 2012 and 2013, fewer houses were built than at any point in peacetime since the 1920s. Because of this, across the country, lots of people are either putting off buying a home or are being priced out entirely, leading to record numbers of renters. Many home owners have chosen to renovate their current homes which can lead to storage issues when moving home. A 2015 PwC report found that 5.4 million people were privately renting, compared to just 2.3 million 15 years earlier – and forecast this number to rise to 7.2 million by 2025. If you own your own home, this represents an opportunity. Taking in a tenant can be a […]

Sometimes, you make a cup of coffee, sit down on the sofa, look around, and everything just looks cluttered. You didn’t notice it before, but the room feels small, the old rack of CDs looks out of place and the old books you never read are gathering dust on the shelf. It’s time to declutter! If you want to inject your home with a shot of zen, decluttering is how you do it, and self-storage facilities are the perfect accompaniment, especially if you’re low on space but want to keep hold of your belongings for the future or as collectibles. Why declutter your home? Before we talk about how best to declutter, let’s touch on the many reasons why decluttering makes a lot of sense. Decluttering adds value to your home If you’re selling your home, it’s an absolute must to declutter. As well as making the move quicker and […]

Moving house has a bad rep for being stressful, as the whole process can often be dictated by factors beyond your control. That’s why whenever you do get your new keys, a little organisation is sure to help things move along smoothly. Here we take a look at the benefits of moving house in each season – and how planning your move around certain times of year can make the entire processthat little bit easier. The spring season is a wonderful time of year to make changes in your life, and moving in the first few months of the year can set you off on a great foot in your new home. An additional perk to moving in the spring time is that removal companies often charge a little less – due in part to them being less busy. To maximise these savings, it’s worth remembering that moving on a […]

What is self storage? Put simply, self storage is renting some extra space for yourself or your business. When you rent a storage unit, you get a secure space that’s accessible only to you that you can put almost anything you like in. Storage units can be anything from a locker measuring 10 square feet to a 2,000 square foot unit the size of a tennis court. Whatever size you choose, your unit is highly secure – only you have the key, and our facilities are alarmed and protected by CCTV. A few of the common reasons people use self storage include: Homeowners or renters who need to declutter or find space to keep things like bulky garden furniture, tools or sports equipment out of season Students who don’t want to carry all their belongings around out of term time Businesses needing space for seasonal stock, extra equipment or documents […]

We all like to keep our photos and albums safe and sound, and when storing these sorts of items in a storage unit, there are a range of things you can do to make sure they look their best years down the line. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping them pristine when they’re put away. Digitise them An extremely effective idea is to scan your photos to preserve them in digital form – either yourself or through a professional agent. There’s nothing worse than losing track of your favourite memories, right? Once you’ve received your photos on a pen drive, DVD or hard drive, you should copy these over to your computer and another storage medium so you have backups. Put these somewhere safe as you wouldn’t want backups stores alongside originals, would you? Preparing your photos Before you store photographs, you need to ensure they’ll stay in […]

For many, musical instruments are a big source of joy and passion – and are cared for in kind. But even if they’re not being played, instruments require special attention and care, especially when they’re placed in storage. If you’ve got an instrument or two that you’re thinking of putting into storage – either for greater space or security – here’s everything you need to know about keeping musical instruments in tip top condition. Clean and prep  All instruments need to be cleaned and prepared correctly, prior to being stored. Clean and polish the instrument using the appropriate cleaning product – oil and alcohol should never be used on wooden instruments, and musical cleaning cloths should be used instead of regular, household ones. Disassemble where appropriate. This means removing reeds, mouthpieces and straps; relaxing strings and drum skins; and disassembling any other part of the instrument that would otherwise be […]

Vintage shopping – is there really a knack to it? When you’re a newcomer to the trend it can seem like a difficult task to know where to begin. You’ll obviously want to get good at digging out the best stuff quickly, so with just a little preparation you’ll soon be snaffling vintage bargains left, right and centre. Starting simple Due to the rise in popular vintage fashion recently, you’re more than likely to find a vintage clothes shop in bigger city centres. Historic cities such as York are a pretty good place to start – you’ll find both vintage clothes and furniture shops here, with a great selection to peruse. You can find out more about vintage shops near you by checking out Hey Vintage – a great site for finding your nearest store. The Telegraph also has a handy article on the best vintage shops in the UK. […]

Summer is here and we’re looking forward to enjoying some warmer weather (fingers crossed!) The days are now longer which means we can enjoy lighter evenings – what will you do with that time? Lynn with Alastair Alan and Dave Celebrations We’re always celebrating something here at Space Station (any excuse for a bit of cake!) This year we’ve celebrated our IT manager Lynn’s incredible 30 years’ service with Space Station. Alastair came in to present Lynn with some well-deserved gifts. Congratulations to Lynn on an amazing achievement. Talking of Alastair, his mother Dorothy has also been celebrating as she has recently been awarded a Guinness World Record Title! Dorothy has accompanied Alastair on a number of rallies over the last few years and has been named the Oldest Active Rally Navigator! Congratulations Dorothy! Back to our staff, Alan from our West London stores has also celebrated a very impressive […]

Here at Space Station, we’re delighted to announce our charity partnership for 2016, with children’s charity – Variety! Variety is very close to our hearts. They offer practical help to children and young people throughout the UK who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged, by providing specialist equipment, such as Sunshine Coaches and Variety Wheelchairs, through their grant programmes – as well as creating memorable childhood experiences through their Variety at Work scheme. Over the next 18 months we aim to raise £20,000 through a ‘variety’ of activities, to sponsor a new Sunshine Coach. Our fundraising plans and activities are already well underway, and each store will have a nominated charity representative who will be coordinating lots of different activities to raise the funds. We’re also building a charity hub on our website, soon to be unveiled, and our progress and other fundraising activities will be announced throughout the year here. […]

At Space Station, we’re really proud of our heritage as a family-owned company – Space Station was founded by Alastair Caldwell in 1983. Alastair enjoyed a storied career in Formula One before making a massive career leap to the self-storage industry. Alastair developed a big interest in cars at an incredibly young age, learning to drive at age 12 while living in New Zealand, and getting his license at age 15. Most of his life has been spent pursuing that passion for motor vehicles. Starting as a mechanic at McLaren for the 1967 Italian Grand Prix, and rising through the ranks to become the team manager between 1974 and 1976, Alastair was a big part of one of the most exciting periods in motor-racing history, and instrumental to the team’s success. The legendary James Hunt was part of Alastair’s team – a time that was depicted in the film Rush. […]

Family heirlooms, bulky furniture, sports equipment, excess business stock – if there’s no room for it at home but it’s too valuable to throw away, then it’s surely still worth insuring? If you kept it at home, it would be covered by your home contents insurance. But once it’s outside the home, it’s it could be outside the cover. Many storage providers will require you to have contents insurance for the items you store with them – we do at Space Station – and you will either have the option of providing your own or going with the storage company’s recommended in-house provider. While you may be thinking that any self-storage premises worth using wouldn’t need you to have insurance if they were any good at keeping things secure, just remember that – like any insurance – self-storage insurance is something that you buy without any intention (or hope) of […]

Storage auctions are currently the subject of a little bit of hype. Reality TV programmes like Auction Hunters or Storage Wars arguably make them look a little bit more exciting and profitable than they actually are, so it’s probably worth going over a few of the rules. Although there are fortunes to be made and excitement to be had from stumbling over long-lost treasures in an abandoned storage locker, it’s certainly not an everyday occurrence. Mostly, we need to auction of the contents of a storage unit to cover the costs from someone not paying their rent for an extended period. Don’t worry – we don’t start selling stuff off the second a payment is missed. The full procedure to contact customers and come to an arrangement that doesn’t involve the loss of any belongings lasts for 50 days, and the auction is always a last resort. On that 50th […]

Even though our reliance on computers has become frustratingly absolute, most of us probably have more than a few stacks of paper, box files or fat envelopes full of receipts cluttering up our homes, offices, and home offices. Anyone who has been buried in an avalanche of tax forms at some point in their life will know all too well the importance of keeping a well-organised filing system. Paperwork can mount up quickly, and it is easily to get totally overwhelmed before you even know it. Even if you are on top of things, files can still take up a lot of space – especially if you run your own business from home or in a smaller office. There are some documents that, even if you know you may never have to look at again, simply can’t be thrown away, leaving you with an ever-growing archive and an ever-shrinking space. […]