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Yes, you can store clothes in a self-storage unit, in fact clothing is one of the most common items people store with us.

Storing seasonal clothes in storage will free up lots of space in the home, and will mean your wardrobes and cupboards are only ever full of clothes which you are likely to wear that season. To make sure your items come out looking as good as they went in, then we have pulled together our top tips for storing clothes in a self-storage unit:

• Wash your clothes

Always make sure you wash clothes properly before putting them in storage as dirty clothes can lead to mould and mildew, which can ruin clothing. Also allow plenty of time for them to dry before storing them.

• Don’t vacuum pack

Whilst it can be tempting to vacuum pack clothes to save space, it can cause wrinkles and fabric damage, as clothing, especially ones made from natural fibres, needs air to breathe.

• Know when to hang and when to fold

Hang or fold clothes in your storage unit like you would do at home so your clothing will come out of storage looking exactly as they did going in! Items you will want to hang include jackets, blouses, dresses and trousers, whereas items you can fold (or roll) will be jumpers, sportswear and children’s clothing.

• Put heavier clothes on the bottom

Placing heavier items at the bottom of a storage box (such as winter jackets or jumpers) will help prevent creases and allows the lighter clothes more room to breathe at the top.

• Use plastic bins

The best storage containers for clothes are plastic bins. Whilst cardboard boxes are cheaper, they do not always protect your clothing as well as plastic storage containers do, so it is worth investing in plastic containers.

Following these few simple tips will mean your clothes come out of storage looking as good as new!

If you need any further help with storing your clothes in self-storage, then please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Many businesses face challenges with stock management, whether it is a backlog of stock and nowhere to store it on their premises, or peaks and troughs in their trading calendar, which means the storage space they require, fluctuates throughout the year.

If you are looking for stock storage solutions, there is an easy one close to hand, and that is renting a self-storage unit. Offerfair business storage units are a cost-effective means of storing business stock for however long you need to.

Some of the main considerations of renting storage space for stock management are:

• Choosing the right size unit

As with any business expense, it is important to consider value for money when choosing a stock storage solution. You need enough space to store all your stock and to be able to retrieve it easily, yet at the same time you will be paying for the unit by square footage, so you want to avoid wasted space.

• Organising business stock storage

How you organise your stock makes a huge amount of difference to your storage unit. An organised unit means you will make more efficient use of the space, and you will find it much easier to retrieve, sort and manage your inventory. Pack stock properly using robust cardboard boxes and packaging which you can purchase from us. When it comes to filling your unit, then think vertically as you will have plenty of height to work with, so arrange heavier items at the bottom and lighter items further up. Finally, be strategic with your organisation. Store items which are most popular at the front of the unit, and if any stock is date-critical, then put newer items to the back and move older ones towards the front.

• Implement an inventory management system

Label stock clearly (with production and expiry dates if applicable) and then devise an inventory management system where you can track your stock turnover, frequency of sales and any returns. Your inventory will help you keep track of the amount of storage space you will need at different times of the year, and you will be able to identify peak or quiet trading times when you may need to upgrade or downsize your unit size.

If you are looking for extra storage space for your business, then we offer business units in a range of sizes from 15 sq ft – 180 sq ft with flexible terms, whereby you can upgrade or downsize your unit if you need more or less space. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Are you planning on renting a self-storage unit and unsure of what size is right for your needs? Don’t worry, at Offerfair we are experts when it comes to determining the best size unit for any customer’s particular requirements. Whether you are looking for extra space for long- or short-term use, we can help you choose the perfect storage solution with our top tips:

• Identify what items you need to store and their size

It might sound obvious, but firstly identify what you need to store and their sizes. By measuring the size of the items you are looking to store, then you can calculate the amount of storage space you need. This will ensure that you are not paying for more space than you actually need, or worse, realising too late that some of your items will not fit!

• Consider how frequently you plan to access your unit

When it comes to deciding on the size of your storage unit, it is important to take into account how frequently you plan on accessing it. This is especially important if you are storing items you will need to retrieve on a regular basis. If you think you will be accessing items from your unit regularly, then it is worth investing in a larger unit size so that you can locate items quickly.

• Think about how much empty space you would like between items

You want to ensure that everything you need to store will fit comfortably into your unit, however it is also important to think about the amount of empty space you would like to have between your items. Allowing for small amounts of empty space between items, will make it easier for you to find items.

• Opt for flexible storage solutions

We recognise that people’s storage requirements can change at short notice, which is why customers can upgrade or downgrade their unit size if they discover they need more or less storage space.

Check out our pricing page for examples of what you can store in all our different unit sizes and their weekly cost.

If you are still not sure what size self-storage unit is right for you, then please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will talk you through all the options.

Whilst more and more people are working from home, and there are many benefits to home working or running a business from your home, there often comes a point where a home office is no longer viable as you and/or your business have simply outgrown it. Here are some signs you may need to consider an alternative base for your business:

• Your Business is Expanding

A growing business will normally involve needing to take on additional employees and an increase in stock and/or paperwork. All of these may make space an issue if you are working from home and work space is limited.

• Your Work Space is Cluttered

If your home office has become a dumping ground for work and non-work items, then it is time to declutter. A home office should be purely an office space, not a dumping ground for washing and gym equipment! Similarly, try and only keep a few essential work items close by, and store the rest away.

• You are Struggling to find a Work/Life Balance

Many people love the convenience of working from home and find they are more productive at home than working in an office – there is no commute and no distractions. However, some people find it hard to switch off in the evenings and at the weekend, so if you are finding it hard to separate your home and work life, then it might be time to look for alternative premises.

What is the alternative?

Most people initially think that if they have outgrown their work space at home, they need to lease commercial property. However, this means a long-term commitment and a conveyancer or solicitor to sort out the necessary paperwork. You will also have to allow for utilities and property taxes and public liability insurance.

If this sounds like a lot of extra work and money, there is an alternative option. If your home office simply lacks storage space, you could consider renting a storage unit to keep your files, archives and stock secure.

We now have seven storage sites across Hastings and St Leonards, in a range of sizes from 15sq ft to 180sq ft, and with our units starting at just £10.92 per week for our smallest units, then they are much more cost-effective than a commercial property.  There are also no overheads such as electricity, gas, water rates or council tax with an Offerfair self-storage unit.

So, if you have outgrown your home work space, then contact us today to discuss how we can help take your business to the next level!

Since we opened the doors to the first of our self-storage premises back in 2016, we have always strived to provide the most cost-effective and convenient self-storage in East Sussex!

We have continued to grow and expand over the past 7 years, and we now have seven self-storage sites across Hastings and St Leonards, where you will find a range of units starting at just 15 sq ft and going up to larger units of 180 sq ft.

We are one of the few self-storage companies in the area who are open on Sundays, and we offer late nights until 8pm on Monday to Friday. We have listened to our customers and have extended our weekend opening hours, so we are now open from 9am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Our aim has always been to make self-storage as convenient and straightforward as possible. That is why we have never asked for deposits or tie customers into lengthy contracts – all our units are rented on a 4 weekly basis and we require just 1 weeks’ notice when you want to vacate.

To reserve a unit simply call us on 01424 718 169, email us at info@offerfair-self-storage.com or complete the enquiry form on our website. We will then allocate you an alarm code for your unit, allowing you to enter your unit at any time during the storage facility opening hours.

We pride ourselves on the friendly and approachable service we offer to all our customers, but don’t just take our word for it, read some of our recent reviews.

If you are thinking about self-storage, please contact us today to talk through your options or to arrange a time to view our facilities – we look forward to welcoming you to Offerfair!

We are delighted to announce that we have just opened another new self-storage site in St Leonards; alongside our six existing premises across Hastings and St Leonards.

The new site, ‘Offerfair Frenchs’ can be found at Menzies Road, Ponswood Industrial Estate, St Leonards, East Sussex, TN38 9BB.

At our new site you will find 145 units, with more currently being built, in a range of sizes from 25sq ft to 150sq ft, so whatever your self-storage requirements we will have a unit size that suits you!

The new site will offer all the same services you have come to expect from Offerfair – CCTV security across the site, no deposit to pay and no long-term contracts.

You will be able to access your belongings at the new site seven days a week, with late night opening until 8pm Monday to Friday, and our new extended weekend openings hours from 9am until 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

With seven sites now across Hastings and St Leonards, wherever you are in the area, and whatever your self-storage requirements, make Offerfair your first port of call.

If you are considering self-storage for personal or business usage, please get in touch and we will be delighted to talk through the range of units at our new site or at any of our existing locations. Please visit our website, email us or call us on 01424 718 169.

Once you’ve booked your self-storage unit with Offerfair, keeping your storage space organised is vital. As you pay for the space you require, by keeping your unit organised you can fit more into the space, ensuring your storage is as cost-effective as possible. In addition, an organised self-storage unit will save you time and stress as you will be able find items more easily.

Here are our top tips to help keep your self-storage space organised:

1. Use Proper Packing Materials

Make sure you have got all the supplies you need before you start packing and moving into your self-storage unit. Using similar sixed boxes will allow you to stack and organise your belongings much more efficiently. You can check out our range of boxes and packaging materials which are available to purchase directly from us, meaning Offerfair is your one-stop storage shop.

2. Make an Inventory

Making a list of everything that you are putting into your storage unit allows you to keep track of exactly what you are storing, and means you will not forget about items at the back! Remember to update the list whenever you add or remove something from storage.

3. Label Everything

Alongside keeping a list, labelling will save you lots of time when it comes to finding items at a later date. Label boxes by their contents, and if there are any delicate or fragile items, then make sure this is also added to the label.

4. Dismantle Large Items

If you are storing large furniture items, it is much more space efficient to dismantle them before putting into storage.

5. Organise by Size

Avoid putting items into your storage unit randomly. The best way to make the most of your storage space is to place your heaviest and most bulky items against the walls and at the back and bottom of the unit.

6. Keep Regularly Used Items at the Front

Items which you are most likely to want to access should be the last things you pack, meaning they are easily accessible at the front of the unit.

7. Take Advantage of Vertical Space

It is easy to forget about the vertical space your storage unit will offer, so if you are storing furniture, such as beds, placing them sideways will maximise vertical space.

8. Leave an Aisle

Having a well-organised unit counts for nothing if you cannot move around in it! Always stack your self-storage unit so that it leaves an aisle for easy movement, otherwise you will struggle to locate those items at the back without unpacking and repacking your entire unit.

Taking the time to organise your self-storage unit and properly store your items can save you time, money and stress in the long run, and will help you make the most out of your storage unit space.

Contact us today to discuss our range of self-storage units across locations in Hastings and St Leonards.

Although so much of business is conducted electronically these days, paperwork still plays a part in many people’s daily working lives, whether it is bills, invoices, sales records, receipts or files. All these items can take up valuable space in your work space and can make your working environment feel cluttered and disorganised.

In the UK, legislation means that certain documents need to be kept for specific periods of time for tax, audit and legal purposes. How long you need to keep records is dependant on the nature of your business eg different rules apply to sole traders and limited companies and on the type of records.

It is therefore important to ensure that your documents are easily accessible at any time, yet many businesses lack sufficient space on their premises, which is where self-storage can provide a safe and secure home for this vital paperwork.

If you need to store business documents in self-storage, here are some hints and tips to help you make the most of your storage space:

Only store what you need to keep

Declutter your paperwork thoroughly before you start archiving them and only keep documents you absolutely have to.

Remove any duplicates

Many businesses print documents multiple times, so before packing up your documents for storage, ensure duplicates are removed and destroyed using a document shredder.

Use archive boxes

Boxes can store more paperwork than files, they will stack better in storage and make more use of the vertical space in a self-storage unit.

Label boxes clearly with a clear inventory system

Organisation is key when archiving documents so that they can be easily located at a later date if necessary. Label boxes clearly, ideally by year or document type, so that you keep all similar paperwork together. Any documents that you think you may need to access more regularly should be positioned at the front of your storage unit.

We have sites across Hastings and St Leonards, offering secure self-storage units which you can access seven days a week, for all your important office documents. Contact us today to find out how we can help.

If you are considering self-storage for your home or business, then it is worth remembering that not all self-storage facilities are alike, and there are several key questions you should ask before signing up for any storage space:

What security measures are in place?

The safety of your items should be paramount when it comes to self-storage. At Offerfair we have CCTV security across all our sites, and every self-storage unit is individually alarmed to give you full peace of mind that your belongings are safe and secure with us. We also give all new customers a free padlock for their unit.

Are there any hidden extras or costs?

The prices you see with Offerfair are the prices you will pay. There are no hidden extras – the price of self-storage will depend on how much storage space you require and how long you want to store the items for.  We offer a range of unit sizes from 15sq ft – 180sq ft and you can view our current pricing here.

What access arrangements are there at the facility?

Once you have booked a unit with us and we have given you the keys and access code, you are then free to enter your unit at any time during our storage facility opening hours of Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm. There is free parking for customers at all our sites to make access as straightforward as possible.

What is the minimum hire period for a unit?

Most people want to avoid lengthy contracts when it comes to self-storage, so at Offerfair we rent the units on a 4 weekly basis and require just 1 weeks’ notice to vacate.

Do you provide insurance?

It is recommended that you purchase insurance to cover the value of any items you are storing. At Offerfair we can cover your items up to £100, but if the value of your items exceeds this amount, then you will need to arrange your own insurance cover.

If you are looking for self-storage space and have any additional questions or would like to arrange a time to view our facilities, then please get in contact.

When storing items away from the home or work in self-storage, you want to be confident that your belongings are going to be safe in storage facilities. These are the security measures you should expect from any reputable storage company:

CCTV

Whilst choosing a self-storage company, you should always ensure it is covered by video surveillance. A good self-storage CCTV will not just monitor the units themselves, but also the facility as a whole. All six of our sites across Hastings and St Leonards are covered by full CCTV security.

Padlocked

All storage units should always be secured with a padlock, this means anyone who shouldn’t have access to your storage unit won’t be able to access your unit. Many storage companies require customers to bring their own padlock, however to give customers the reassurance we take the security of their belongings as seriously as they do, we provide all new customers with a high quality padlock for their unit.

Alarmed

To provide an extra layer of security, an alarm will ensure only those who have approved access to your unit will be able to enter it. At Offerfair, every self-storage unit is individually alarmed to give extra peace of mind that your belongings are safe and secure with us.

Insurance

Another important security measure you should expect from a reliable storage facility is insurance. Storing items with us at Offerfair means we will cover your items up to £100, but if the value of your items exceeds this amount, then we recommend customers take out their own insurance to insure their items above this rate.

Here at Offerfair, the safety and security of your items is of our upmost priority, and we hope that the security features detailed here, will give you the peace of mind that your possessions will in safe hands with us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whether you want to store confidential work documents or valuable items from the home, talk to us today to discover our secure, low-cost and flexible storage units across Hastings and St Leonards.