Eversley Storage. Immaculate site, happy customers says Self Storage Association

The Self Storage Association's Focus magazine visits Eversley Storage Services.

Michael Woolfson, owner of Eversley Storage Services part of Greenfords Ltd, originally ran a retail mobile home and touring caravan business, with his father Marcus.

Today, as well as being in the self storage industry, Greenfords owns and manages four Mobile home parks in Dorking, Sandhurst, Yateley and Maidenhead.
A touring caravan repair and servicing centre completes the company´s activities.

In the late 1980s Michael was looking for a caravan related business which led, in 1987, to him acquiring the present sylvan site, near Eversley on the A327, a busy road that links the M3 and M4 at Junction 11 leading to Reading. Initially it was for caravan storage and other storage, such as 400 news cars for local dealers and even two red BT telephone boxes!

The site had roads laid and security fencing, plus a 5,000 sq ft warehouse. It had been a searchlight site in World War 2, then a timber yard, finally it was owned by Southern Gas before Michael bought it. It is ideally situated 10 miles from Reading, Basingstoke and Guildford.

In 1988, following enquiries from the public for storage, Michael installed six previously used steel ISO shipping containers. He switched to purpose designed steel containers as used by the building industry for storage, etc.

The company now has 400 containers at full capacity. All are 8ft high and 8ft wide and come in 8ft, 10ft, 20ft and 30ft options. All the site´s ground space is now occupied, and many containers are stowed two high - like-size upon like-size.

The upper level is accessed by five specially designed mobile access platforms and staircases. Michael explains: "I thought we would be able to buy them off the shelf, but in the end we got the architect of our super new office building to design them and a local steel fabricator to make them. They can be moved to the required position and have a brake and steadies fitted, and of course wheels".

Three years ago the company built a 4,000 sq ft building for the offices and a flat for the security officer. The office occupies 3,000 sq ft and the flat the remainder. The new office accords with the rest of the immaculate site. An interior designer was retained to ensure that the building was smart inside as well as out. The frontage of the site has been landscaped as has the front of the office and the foliage is maintained by an outside contractor.

"We want the customer to feel we are friendly and approachable" explains Michael.
"Our customer base consists of three types of people: private individuals, local, regional and national businesses and local removal companies." Removal companies can store household effects in 250 cu ft wooden warehouse containers in the 5000 sq ft warehouse, or the steel containers if preferred. There is a fork lift on site, with certified drivers to hand to load the removal vans or help a customer with heavy items.

"Using containers gives the customer immediate access, as cars can be driven alongside the container and the service offers an economical rent. We do charge VAT. We took advice from our external accountant who recommended charging it. We have since revisited the subject and the advice remains the same, as we do offer other services on this site." explained Michael.

There are two sign boards on the A327 to catch the eye of passing drivers. The company advertises in the local Yellow Pages, and its web site is becoming increasingly visited. The website has recently been redesigned and Michael´s son, who runs Profitable Web Projects, has improved the site´s visibility.

Michael Bloomfield is the day to day manager. He has been with the company 14 years as storage manager.

An annual maintenance programme ensures that each container is examined once every year, and they are re-sprayed on a four year rolling programme.

Security is ensured by CCTV cameras, both outside and at the reception. There is ample lighting - although this caused a ruction with the local council who objected on the grounds of light pollution. Most importantly for customers, there are always staff around the site: forklift drivers to load and unload the removal company containers, maintenance staff and security staff both night and day.

Entering the self storage industry in 1988 meant that Eversley joined the Self Storage Association in its infancy. Michael recalls: "In those days there were just 20 people attending meetings at the Royal Overseas League in St James´s London. "The ongoing development of the SSA is most encouraging. For example, the appointment of a full time chief executive and the establishment of a permanent headquarters office with dedicated support staff." says Michael. "The SSA has increased our knowledge and understanding of the industry, helped us to focus on the best practice, introduced us to acknowledged industry suppliers, given us early notice of new legislation affecting the industry and provided thought provoking talks and seminars which have helped us to develop the business."

Extracts from an article published in the Self Storage Association's Focus Magazine
Reproduced by kind permission of the Self Storage Association

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Steel containers look as smart as guardsmen on parade