More Self Storage News for PTI Operators

Apex Self Storage has opened its latest storage centre:

Situated on one of the busiest roads into Manchester—Princess Road—the site is the most visible in the group, with over 40,000 vehicles passing by a day. Apex has added an extra floor, almost doubling the available storage space. There are also three floors of office space to one end of the building. Apex has also added what they believe is a first in self-storage—a high-security section that is only accessible by biometric entry.

This high-security storage area is not only made to look different with pure white storage units; the walls are also thicker to make them extra strong, and the doors and locks are made of solid steel.

The area they are situated in is not only alarmed with biometric entry doors but also has extra security sensors above and around the storage units and individually alarmed doors. Apex has taken this step to further attract customers with higher-value items, such as art and antiques.

General Manager Steve Dawber says, “These are exciting times for Apex. This storage centre is a magnificent-looking site, in a superb location.” The reception area is modern and spacious, with leather seating for our clients, setting the standard for self-storage in the North West.

Welcome to PTI :

Rent-A-Space (Liverpool & Shrewsbury)

My Store (Witney)

Smart Storage (Altrincham)

Kettering Storage Solutions

Britannia (Swadlincote)

Container Parks (Paisley)

Big Box (Tunbridge).

Storage King prepares for Christmas gift appeals:

Storage King holds a Christmas gift appeal each year to benefit children, young people and the elderly through local charities. Though it’s only September, the company is already preparing for the appeal.  Sarah Hopkins, the Managing Director of Storage King, shared the reasoning behind the appeal with Shropshirelive.com:

“Christmas is a time of happiness and joy, when people are surrounded by their family and friends. For some this is not always the case, so it’s important we take the time to help those less fortunate than ourselves. At a time of year when being around loved ones is very important. We hope that the Christmas appeal will put a smile on a few faces.”

In 2015, the company’s 24 facilities collected hundreds of toys for Hope House, Princess Royal Hospital, The Harry Johnson Trust, and other charities, to make the holiday a little happier for those less fortunate.

Storage King is trying to get a jump on this year’s appeal. The company has asked organisations that would like to be recipients of the appeal to register with the company. From this pool, the company will select five organizations to donate the gifts to. These five organisations will also be invited to a special event held at the Shrewsbury facility. They will not only receive the collected gifts, but will also have a chance to meet members of the community. Many o whom may want to learn more about the organisations and get involved in their efforts.

Tick Box comes to Leamington Spa:

Tick Box is a national scheme that aims to prevent self-storage facilities from being used to hide illegal products such as illicit tobacco, alcohol, and counterfeit goods.

The industry standard: PTI and Digitech brands of access control represent more than 25,000 installations worldwide and set the standard for state-of-the-art technology in the self-storage industry. Our company provides self-storage solutions for the UK, Ireland, Mainland Europe, and the Middle East market

The access control system may be combined with CCTV, music-P/A, intruder alarm, and remote monitoring to provide a security package tailored to the operational requirements of any individual storage facility. Our proven and reliable systems are backed up by incomparable technical support.

The latest innovations include an interface for upgrading existing Digitech systems to the advanced PTI platform, PTI and CCTV Smartphone Apps for remote management of a storage facility, and our ‘EasyCode’ App, which allows a storage user to access a facility from a Smartphone.

Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service is responsible for running the free scheme. Three Warwickshire self-storage businesses, including Squab Removals and Storage of Leamington Spa, have already joined.

Emlyn Evans, Director of Squab Group, said:

“We believe that the Council’s Tick Box scheme provides our customers with a clear notice of intent around our approach to the storage of illegal substances. As the self-storage industry grows in popularity, the potential for abuse increases. This scheme is a great way of demonstrating that we won’t put up with customers who choose to carry out improper activity in our stores.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Philip Johnson, Chair of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said:

“By joining the Tick Box scheme, self storage businesses agree to follow a code of practice. Obliging them, for example, to ask for photo-id and proof of address information. It is made clear to customers that Trading Standards will monitor the premises and enter them as necessary.”

“We anticipate that the Tick Box scheme will discourage counterfeiters and others from using these facilities. I will disrupt the trade in illegal goods.