The History of Hogleaze

If you have visited our self storage facility near Dorchester, you will know that we are based on a farm, one of the tidiest farms you will have ever seen! But you might not know much about its history; where we started Hogleaze Storage was a dairy farm.

So how did we go from a fully functioning dairy farm, to a personal storage facility? In this article we share the history of Hogleaze Storage.

The end of the dairy farm

Hogleaze Storage is located at Town Hill Farm and Hogleaze Farm. Hogleaze Farm used to be a family run dairy farm that produced milk between 1945 and 2000.

Economics was the main reason we stopped milking cows. Without wishing to sound like a despondent farmer, there was a shift in the selling of milk in supermarkets as, knowing that milk is a weekly purchase, they started dropping prices to attract customers into their stores. The price change made it difficult to make a profit in any farm production.

Making the most of our surroundings

With plenty of land and redundant farm buildings, we started to realise just how many caravan and camping sites were close by… but very few places had adequate areas to store the caravans and motorhomes out of season. We had plenty of outdoor space that would be perfect to turn into caravan and motorhome storage space, which is exactly what we did.

Knowing the proximity to Weymouth, we also started thinking about boat storage. We knew that our outdoor space would also be suitable for boat storage, and we knew that people would need places to store their boats over winter when they were used less frequently.

So, we created a specific space for outdoor boat storage and outdoor motorhome and caravan storage.

We also turned to our surroundings when looking for inspiration for our logo. Being surrounded by trees, squirrels were part of that habitat. When we thought about it, having a squirrel as part of our logo made more and more sense because squirrels represent our business… they store their winter food to keep it safe, we store your personal belongings to keep them safe.

As you might have worked out, we kept the farm name Hogleaze when we started our self-storage company. The word has a fascinating background as it literally translates to “pigs in the field”; “hog” being an old fashioned term for pigs, and “leaze” meaning a tract of open ground.

Adding self-storage units

On a trip to Brighton back in 2005 we realised how popular personal self storage was, the further east we drove the more roadside signs advertising self storage appeared. It felt like every other sign was pointing to another self-storage facility.

On top of this realisation, we were receiving quite a lot of enquiries from people looking for self storage units. Our little boat, caravan and motorhome storage facility was being found in the search for personal self storage units. We were constantly getting phone calls asking about our units… but we didn’t have any.

These two things made us realise that there was a market for self storage units. We had an entire farm’s worth of space, so all we needed to do was build the units, with the right permissions of course. Luckily we had a few barns that we were able to convert into storage spaces to get started.

Our first units filled pretty quickly! So, over the years we have built more units across our farm, varying the sizes of the units so that there is the perfect self storage solution for everyone.

Self storage units for everything

With the expansion of our facility at our Dorchester site, came the realisation that there was a need for more than just household storage or furniture storage.

As our storage units are completely empty, we were able to be flexible with what we stored in them and how it was all stored. We started offering storage for business papers, office furniture, sports equipment and even wine!

Expanding to Weymouth

Having noticed that there was no storage facility of size in Weymouth, in 2016 we built self-storage units in Weymouth. We built a modern 3 storey storage facility, with a lift, that has over 250 units of varying sizes, from 25sq ft up to 200sq ft, that can store just about anything in them.

When we expanded to Weymouth, we wanted to make sure that our core values were still at the forefront of our business. It was important that we were able to offer an efficient service and the best pricing. Using a large building on the Granby Industrial Estate meant that we were able to do this. The storage units are easily accessible, and we can provide reassurance of safe keeping as the store is alarmed and managed by David Matthews.

Future for Hogleaze

And we are not stopping there. During 2022, we are building a new classic car storage unit at our Dorchester facility. This will be a 2 storey building designed specifically to hold classic cars. This space will be bigger than the one we currently have, meaning that we will be able to store more classic cars.

In moving the classic cars to this new building, we will create more indoor motorhome and caravan storage spaces. So if you are looking for caravan or motorhome storage, keep an eye out for further news on this development!

Why store with Hogleaze Storage?

In the 22 years we have been running Hogleaze Storage, our priority has always been to provide excellent customer service and a trusted, safe place to leave your belongings. We don’t take our responsibility of looking after your things lightly.

We know that your belongings are precious which is why we have put such high security features in place. Not only do we require each of our storage units to have a padlock on the door when in use, but we also provide you with your own fob to enter the building. You will notice CCTV cameras around the premises, and we also have number plate recognition cameras allowing only our customers to get to their belongings.

To make sure that we were providing the highest standards for self storage and motorhome and caravan storage, we worked hard to be able to become a member of the Self Storage Association and the Caravan Storage Site Owners Association.

“Immaculately clean storage, easy access and still very secure. Friendly and helpful staff.”
Sheila Cornwall

Looking for a self storage unit?

If you are looking for a safe place to keep your belongings get in touch with us today. To talk to someone at our Dorchester facility, call 01305 889777 or email info@hogleazestorage.co.uk, or to talk to someone at our Weymouth facility, call 01305 830000 or email info@weymouthselfstorage.co.uk.

How to Protect Your Classic Car

Your classic car is your pride and joy, and you want it to look pristine and run smoothly. Protecting the car when in and out of storage is key. Whether you keep your car on your driveway or in a classic car storage facility, there are steps you should take to ensure you are protecting it correctly.

Read on for tips on how to protect your classic car and how our classic car storage facility could help you.

Consider the type of building you’re storing your classic car in

When putting your car into storage you need to make sure that the space protects the car from weather, extreme temperatures, moisture and of course it needs to be secure.

Storing your car in a single skin brick building is not the best option as it will tend to be damp and will not maintain a constant temperature or be moisture free.

A well-built timber garage or building offers a good amount of protection and limits dampness.

Alternatively, you could use concrete building or outbuilding. These may protect your car from the majority of elements. But concrete buildings can often have a reduced airflow, which can make them great places for mould and mildew to grow. If you are using a concrete building for your classic car storage, it is recommended that you create some air flow throughout the building.

A purpose-built high security insulated building provides very good protection and eliminates dampness.

Call us on 01305 889777 to find out what type of building our classic car storage facility is.

Outside classic car storage

It is not recommended that you ever store a classic car outside, but if you are choosing to store your classic car outside, there are a few tricks you should do to make sure your car is protected as best as possible.

If it is possible, you should raise your car off the ground a little. This will protect the tyres, wheels and the underneath of your precious car.

Don’t wrap your car up in standard tarpaulin because it won’t offer the right kind of protection and it won’t let the car breathe, which can lead to condensation, mould and mildew.

Cover your classic car when its in storage

No matter what your classic car storage choice is, it is always a good idea to cover your car.

Obviously, a cover will protect your car from far more if you are storing your classic car outside. It is worth investing in a weatherproof cover that fits your car like a glove if you are keeping it outside, as this will provide maximum protection for the car, especially against wind “rub”. The cover will also protect both interior materials and exterior paint from bird droppings and moisture which can affect the paintwork.

A cover also ensures that the paintwork is protected from any direct sunlight, whether it is in an indoor or outdoor classic car storage facility.

If you can’t get a cover to fit your car’s specifications, it is suggested that you get one that is a little bit bigger and then peg it in place, making sure that everything is covered.

Clean, polish and wax your car before it goes into storage

Leaving dirt, salt and moisture on your car could potentially damage the car’s paintwork. You wouldn’t let moisture or dirt damage paintwork while out of storage, so why let it when in storage?

It is so important that the car is completely dry before being put into any sort of classic car storage! If there is any moisture left, there is a chance the car will rust.

Another handy tip is to lubricate any rubber parts if you can. This will stop them perishing while they are in storage for long periods of time.

When using our classic car storage facility, you will have access to a pressure washer, so that you can clean your car after taking it out.

If you would like to know more about the facilities available when storing your classic car with us, email info@hogleazestorage.co.uk, or call 01305 889777.

Open the windows when in any type of classic car storage

It is important to allow for air to circulate around the car. This will prevent any bad smells settling in the car, and it can also ensure mould doesn’t start growing.

Note that leaving a window will mean that mice and other small animals may be able to get in. To avoid this from happening, make sure you only open the windows very slightly and don’t leave any crumbs or dirt in the car that will attract such animals.

Store a convertible with the roof closed, so that it maintains its shape and stops the material from shrinking – don’t be tempted to leave the roof down in the name of ventilation.

Disconnect the battery and regularly check fluid levels

Having a classic car is all fun and games until something goes wrong. So take steps while the car is in storage to minimise the chance of anything going wrong.

It is recommended to keep your classic car on trickle charge so it’s ready to start whenever you want to use it. If not available, it is advised that you disconnect the battery as car batteries leak charge when they aren’t being used. Alternatively, take the car for a short drive or run the engine for 10 minutes every few weeks to charge the battery.

And keep an eye on the car’s fluid levels because switching the car on when there are low fluid levels could cause catastrophic damage to the engine… not what you want when you were looking forward to getting out in the sun for a nice peaceful drive.

Another issue can be the use of E10 fuel in an incompatible car, as it will still run, but seals, plastics and metals may be damaged over longer periods as a result of bioethanol’s corrosive properties. It is a hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water from the atmosphere, leading to condensation in fuel tanks if the car remains unused for long periods of time.

At our classic car storage facility, you will have 24 hour access to your car, allowing you to make these checks at a time that suits your routine. You will also have access to electric sockets, enabling you to trickle-charge the battery, should you choose to.

Make sure it is in a secure location

It doesn’t bear thinking about someone else being able to get their hands on your prized possession. So don’t risk it. Make sure the car is being stored in a safe place. Put extra padlocks on doors and make sure that the locations aren’t easy to break into.

When you drop your car off at our classic car storage facility, you will get your own key fob to our fully enclosed, insulated and alarmed buildings.

Our facilities also have automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and strategically placed security cameras (CCTV), allowing us to know who is accessing the site. So you can rest knowing that your classic car is safe in our hands.

Use our classic car storage facility

We make the storage of classic cars simple and easy. We have 250 individually marked, generously sized plots available at our Dorchester storage facility.

We are currently constructing a purpose-built classic car storage building that will be ready before the autumn, so contact us now to reserve a plot in time for next winter.

Give us a call on 01305 889777 or email us at info@hogleazestorage.co.uk to find out about our classic car storage availability.

What to expect upon arrival at our Dorset storage facilities

Are you planning to use Hogleaze Storage in the near future for storing your vehicle, caravan or belongings? Whether you have been storing elsewhere for many years now, or are a newbie to the storage world, it’s always good to know what to expect when you arrive. In this article, we will walk you through both our sites so you’re fully clued up!

Our Dorchester storage facility

With Dorchester being our first and largest storage facility, we thought it would be useful to start with this one…

Upon turning off the A35, you will drive down the very scenic ‘Roman Road’ which will lead you to Hogleaze Storage, with views spanning miles of fields, you may want to take a moment to enjoy the landscape before turning into the facility. We are very tucked away from the road and are, in fact, impossible to see from the road unless you know where to look which is one of the great security features of ours.

After driving a little further, you will come across the three large outdoor caravan/motorhome storage areas on your left, these are made secure using large heavy-duty gates or barriers which can only be accessed via the use of a personal passcode or key fob.

Whilst driving down the track you will notice some more of the high-security features we have on-site, including CCTV and number plate recognition so we have a record of every vehicle entering or leaving our sites.

Drive a bit further and you will come across one of the main storage units which houses units from 25 sq ft to 150+ sq ft, perfect for all sorts of storage including furniture, sports equipment, documents and business belongings and much more. You will then see the vehicle storage buildings suitable for classic cars, caravans, motorhomes, boats and trailers, trust us, you can’t miss them!

Did you know… we also have another large building located at our other Dorchester site which is packed full of even more units, it’s just a short drive away from reception.

If you’re here for the first time and need to speak to our staff, you will see signs for the reception (it’s just past the old Shepherds Hut which you may spot), there is plenty of parking here and is also where you will go if you need any storage boxes or need to fill in any paperwork before storing.

One of our staff members (Richard or Shelley) will then give you a site tour based on the service you will be using and will show you to your unit.

And that’s about it! You will now have 24/7 access to your unit or plot so you can come and go when you please.

Dorchester facility address: Town Hill Farm, Town Hill, Winterbourne Abbas, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9ET

Our Weymouth storage facility

Whilst it may not be such a beautiful, countryside drive to the Weymouth storage unit, it’s made up for by the grandeur of the facility and is very easy to find.

Once you have located the Granby Industrial Estate, you will need to find Cambridge Road, Sat Navs never have an issue finding us, so simply pop the below address in:

Weymouth facility address: 12 Cambridge Road, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9TJ

There is plenty of parking outside the facility so you shouldn’t have a problem and will be close to the main doors to get your belongings in and out. Our reception is to the right of the building where one of our staff members (David or Paul) will be able to assist you. The storage facility is on three floors with units ranging from 16 sq ft to 200 sq ft but don’t worry whilst on initial arrival it may seem very large, you will quickly get used to finding your way around.

There are lifts and staircases to make transporting your belongings easy and also trolleys which you are welcome to use. The corridors to the units are plenty wide enough so you won’t have an issue navigating the building.

Ready to store with Hogleaze Storage?

If you think you may need to use a storage facility in 2022, it’s always good to enquire early, we are consistently very full so sometimes have to operate a waiting list for our storage units and vehicle storage plots.

Hopefully, this article has put your mind at ease about what to expect when you arrive at either our Dorchester storage facility or the Weymouth one. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email, phone or through Facebook.

Popular uses for our storage compounds and units include:

You can contact us:

For Dorchester, call us on 01305 889777 or email us at info@hogleazestorage.co.uk.
Or, for Weymouth call us on 01305 830000 or email us at info@weymouthselfstorage.co.uk.

Keeping your house tidy and mind sane – family storage tips

Following a busy Christmas, is your house now cluttered with every plastic toy under the sun? A drum kit from ‘Santa’? Or tons of new reading material for your little bookworm? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you run a busy family home.

With 2022 in full swing, we thought we would give you some New Year encouragement so that you can keep your home clean (most of the time) and your mind sane this year! Read on for our top family storage tips…

Start with the big New Year clear out…

Do you have a toy box in every room of the house? When was the last time the toys at the bottom of them were actually played with? It’s time to get rid… or start a toy rotation, a great way to ensure that your children don’t get bored of the toys they have and it opens up some space for their new toys too.

It may be more productive to do this job in peace, or you could try to get your children involved. Be warned though, they will probably try to argue that they play with every toy in the house!

It’s not just the toys that deserve some culling, when was the last time you sorted their wardrobes out?

Honestly, once you’ve done this you will feel much better for it!

Find a home for some unwanted toys

Now you’ve categorized your kids belongings into ‘keep’ and ‘go’, you need to find a new home for the toys. Here are some of our top tips:

Take them to a charity shop – throughout the Covid 19 pandemic many charity shops stopped accepting donations due to the risk involved, however, most charity shops now have new processes in place to accept donations, so head on over to your local!
Visit a toy library – a quick Google will tell you where you can find your nearest toy library, it’s a great way for the toys to receive some new love!
Give to a friend or family member expecting a new addition
Sell your secondhand toys and clothes – use apps like Depop or Vinted
Hide them away in the loft – if you’re planning on having more children and don’t want to get rid of toys, store them away in the loft.

Top tip: Vacuum packing clothes saves even more space!

Create more ‘at home’ storage areas

Like everyone, the space in our home is valuable and a clutter-free home = a clutter-free mind, so if you’re sparse of space, be inventive!

Wall storage – By removing some of your decorative shelves, you can replace them with some new wall storage units; you can find some really aesthetically pleasing ones nowadays so have a browse online and see what you can find.
Bed storage – if you are currently housing a zero storage bed you’re missing a trick. There are many good value storage beds available on the market with nifty secret compartments and sections.
Seating storage – swap out your standard dining chairs for bench seating which allows for storage underneath.

Hire a storage unit

If you have exhausted all your options in your home and you quite literally have no space left, then why not opt for a storage unit at Hogleaze Storage? Units start from 25 sqft right up to 150 + sqft so you definitely won’t be short of space then!

When packing your storage unit, we would advise that you follow a few of our tips:

Box everything
Label well
Start at the back with the items you are unlikely to need to access
Store upwards too (just ensure nothing will topple!)
Create a mini alleyway in the middle of your unit so you can access everything

Take some time for yourself

Running the home isn’t easy and can sometimes feel neverending and monotonous, especially if you spend a lot of time at home.

Taking some time for yourself is as important as keeping the house in order and gives you a break too.

Organise and clear our your own ‘stuff’ too

Now you’ve spent all this time clearing out your kids’ toys, have you actually looked at your own cupboards? The likelihood is that you’ve been hoarding a few things around your home that, quite frankly, don’t need to stick around into 2022. Whether it’s an extra wardrobe full of clothes you haven’t worn in 5 years, or that Peloton bike you bought as an impulse lockdown purchase that has been collecting dust for almost 2 years… be brutal!

Put a tidying rota in place

This may sound a little OTT but we’re not saying it needs to be stuck to the fridge or pinned to the wall. It can even happen just by changing your mindset around tidying. A little bit each day rather than saving up your chores for a single day after a week can stop that overwhelming feeling.

Teach your little ones the importance of helping out

It shouldn’t all fall on your shoulders and getting your kids involved can be enjoyable if they don’t see it as so much of a chore, it’s also important they know why clearing and tidying is necessary. Make it into a game or competitive challenge and reward them afterwards… we found a handy article here that may help.

Get in contact with Hogleaze Storage

Hopefully, this article has inspired you to get your home in order during the next couple of months, but if you are opting for a storage unit in Dorchester or Weymouth we would be happy to discuss our prices and availability.

You can call us on 01305 889777 for Dorchester storage or on 01305 830000 for Weymouth storage, alternatively email us on info@hogleazestorage.co.uk.

Clearing out your storage unit… top tips from Hogleaze Storage

You may have plans to try and clear out your storage space in the New Year to allow extra room for new belongings, or maybe you want to do a stock check of what’s been left in your storage unit, especially if you’ve been renting yours for years. Did you know the longest-standing storer we have at Hogleaze has been here for a total of 15 years?

Whatever your reasons are, it’s important to clear out your storage unit in a methodical way. We’ve seen many people come and go, so here are some of our top tips for clearing out your unit.

Decide on the purpose for your clear-out

When deciding to clear out your unit, most of our customers fit into one of these categories:
You’re relocating and need a storage unit closer to home
You need to fill your unit with different belongings from your home
You are downsizing or upsizing your unit
You’ve decided to sell some of your belongings within the unit
Your unit was only a short term requirement for a house move

It may be a big job, so you need to be ready and set the time aside knowing what your end goal is!

Start with a stock take

Do you even realise what you’ve been hoarding in your storage unit? In some cases, people just keep filling their unit higher and higher until there’s no space left, which can lead to things being forgotten about.

By doing a stocktake of every item, big and small, you can easily refer back to it and remove or sell if needs be.

Prepare the right kit for your clearout

Here are a few items we would suggest you take with you to make your clearout as stress-free and easy as possible:

New boxes – you may want to move some possessions into new boxes if they are looking a bit tatty.
Labels – did you rush the moving in process and forget to label? We would recommend labelling everything!
Pen for writing labels
Rubbish bags
Scissors and tape
Cleaning equipment

Categorise your belongings (and be brutal)

If you have a lot of ‘stuff’ in your unit, we would recommend categorising your belongings, for example:

Large goods
Small belongings
Antiques
Items of sentimental value
Items of high value etc

Whilst doing your stocktake, you also need to be brutally honest with yourself about what you can keep and what you can chuck in the bin (or you could take some stuff to the charity shop).

Something you may have thought you wanted to keep 5 years ago may not have the same emotional or sentimental value or may have decreased so much in physical value it’s not worth keeping.

Can anything be sold?

There are some great, fairly new apps and selling sites that allow you to sell your second-hand furniture, antiques, electronics or clothing quickly and with little to no selling fees. Simply snap a picture, upload and await the offers to come in! Here are some we would recommend:

Facebook Marketplace – this allows you to super easily add products with no fees, it’s best for local sales, but you can offer delivery if you’re happy to do this.
Gumtree – a site that’s been around for a while now, but is still a popular option, especially for larger goods such as furniture.
eBay – anything and everything can go on here and lets you reach a wide audience from all across the country.
Vinted & Depop – these are great apps for those wishing to sell clothing, in particular designer or vintage items.

Make some space

Even if you only have a small unit, it’s good to have a central space in your unit so you are able to see everything in there, that way things don’t just get pushed to the back never to be seen again. Having a little rejig can make this quite a simple job, you could also consider adding shelving into your unit to make everything a bit more accessible.

Bring in the cavalry

If you see this as too big of a job to handle yourself, don’t be afraid to ask friends or family yourself, you could even make a bit of fun out of it and start auctioning off your belongings (or just giving them away if you’re feeling generous).

Contact Hogleaze Storage

Did you know that we also have storage boxes and packaging materials that you can purchase from reception? We can also provide trolleys to make it easier for you to get to and from your vehicle whilst clearing out your unit.

If you need to discuss storage options with us simply give us a call on 01305 889777 for Dorchester or email info@hogleazestorage.co.uk OR for Weymouth 01305 830000 or email info@weymouthselfstorage.co.uk

Getting ready for Christmas with the help of self storage

Christmas is right around the corner, and after last year’s disappointment it seems fair to say that we all want it to be extra special this year.

We want the Christmas tree (a real one obviously) to be up and the decks to be hung around the house as soon as possible. But all this decorating can make the house feel a little crowded. And we don’t even want to think about how chaotic it can feel once all those presents are opened and the guests have arrived.

So why not do a little decluttering now and let Hogleaze Storage help you out this festive period.

Create an away from home wine cellar with our wine storage

The kitchen is crammed with all that delicious festive food. So, where do you store the Christmas drinks?

You may not have a dedicated wine cellar in the house, but why not use one of our units for wine storage, and have an away from home, festive period wine cellar.

Your alcohol will be safe in our Dorchester self storage units or our Weymouth self storage units, thanks to our exceptional security features, and consistent temperatures.

Our Dorchester site is open 24/7 meaning you can pop over to pick up another bottle, or two, whenever you like.

Pro tip: if you are busting out those additional wine glasses for your guests but don’t have much space for them, why not try hanging a wire stemware rack below overhead cabinets.

Where is the Christmas tree going to go?

A big question asked in most homes is “where are we going to put the christmas tree?”

It can’t go there because the coffee table is in the way, or the footstool, or the pile of the kids toys. Sometimes a little bit of rearranging is necessary, but even then things don’t always fit.

Our Dorset storage units might be the perfect answer. Our small storage units go up to 25 Sq Ft and would be great to store the coffee table, or a few of those toys that probably won’t get a look in once the christmas presents have been unwrapped.

Alternatively, if you are looking to store a slightly larger piece of furniture, so that your christmas tree can take pride of place, we have larger furniture storage units, which can go up to 190 Sq Ft at both our Dorchester and Weymouth storage facilities.

Very pleased with Hogleaze Storage
Very pleased with Hogleaze Storage. Clean bright and modern storage with easy access at any time. Trolleys provided for moving your items. Very reasonable cost.
Bronwen James | Dorchester | Self Storage

Get that spare room guest ready

We know, it is so easy to just think “oh this can just go in the spare room while I figure out what to do with it”. Then we forget about it and before we know it the room is filled with random things and there is no chance that anyone can sleep on the bed.

Maybe it is time to go through all of those things, on the other hand there are far more important things to get sorted before Christmas.

Our medium self storage units are suitable for storing a wide range of your belongings, whether that be sports equipment left over from the active summer you have had, or your holiday wardrobe that is yet to be put away.

Pro tip: instead of thinking of this as a mammoth task, try spending just 20 minutes a day clearing it out, that way it will feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

Interested in getting organised with us?

Our Dorchester self storage site and Weymouth self storage site could be the simple answer to help you have your extra special Christmas.

Our small and medium size self storage units are a great solution to temporarily store furniture that has been replaced by the Christmas tree, or clutter that has been hiding in that spare room.

For Weymouth self-storage call our Weymouth team on 01305 830000, and for Dorchester self storage call our Dorchester team on 01305 889777. If you are wanting vehicle storage, please call our Dorchester branch on 01305 889777.

Found the facility to be safe and secure
I used Hogleaze Storage for many years and found the facility to be safe and secure. My belongings stayed dry; the ambient temperature seemed just right and there was no dampness. Wooden furniture; cardboard boxes and books all survived intact. The staff are also helpful and friendly. I would recommend this facility.
Peter Lewis | Dorchester | Self storage

Have you seen some of our other articles?

Christmas definitely means that summer is over, so why not check out our article on packing away your summer belongings.

This time of year can really make us reflect on how much stuff we have in our homes, read our article on the telltale signs that you need a storage unit to find out if one of our self storage units could help you.

Local companies that use our business storage units in Dorset

Self storage isn’t just for those moving home or who have hoarded a few too many personal belongings, it’s also the ideal solution for many businesses.

At Hogleaze Storage, we’ve found business self storage units to be a very popular option with local companies, and have seen this side of our business grow rapidly over the last few years. Read on to see the types of businesses we work with, and the advantages of business storage solutions.

Firstly, why would a business need self storage?

There are many reasons that local companies cross the Hogleaze Storage entrance gates, just a few of which include:

Allowing for more space in their office / business premises
Storing business furniture or stock during a renovation or move
Holding seasonal stock
Storing documents that need to be kept, but aren’t needed day-to-day

Do you think that business self storage could be useful for your organisation? Why not contact us to discuss your requirements. We have a wide range of storage unit sizes and flexible hire periods to suit most business needs.

Who is business self storage suited for?

The answer is… Almost any business! However here are just a few examples of our past and present business self storage clients:

Restaurants

The hospitality industry is extremely fast-paced, so the last thing a restaurant owner needs is to be tripping over excess stock or furniture. Here’s where business storage becomes worth its weight in gold. A few reasons restaurants choose to store with us include:

Storing extra tables and chairs (particularly when social distancing needed to be implemented between tables).
Not yet having a business premises firmed up so needing to store all the essentials somewhere safe.
Storing long-life food in a clean/ dry premise.
Even wine storage!

Offices

Office moves and renovations mean that all of a sudden you have a lot of furniture with nowhere to call home. A business storage unit offers you a short or long term solution.

We also find document storage very popular, especially in the case of certain data that needs to be kept for a number of years but that doesn’t need to take up important space in your office. Storing in a purpose-built facility such as Hogleaze Storage also ensures that these documents are protected from the elements, with all of our units being kept clean and secure.

Local retailers

Whatever a shop sells, there’s going to be a likelihood of needing extra space for stock. This might be because certain items are seasonal (such as summer garden furniture or Christmas items), or simply because you’d prefer to never be caught short of stock.

Examples of retailers that could benefit from a business storage unit include:

Sports equipment stores – our units are ideal for kayaks, paddleboards and surfboards.
Hardware stores – think bulky building equipment, DIY tools, aggregates and more.
Furniture stores – many of our units can hold houses-worth of belongings, so tables, beds, drawers and more will easily fit.

Contact our business storage experts

Think that you could benefit from business stock storage? Get in touch today for a no obligation quote. We have various sized business storage units in our Weymouth self storage and Dorchester self storage facilities.

As well as some of the advantages mentioned above, by choosing Hogleaze Storage you also benefit from:

Easy access to your unit with convenient opening hours
Secure premises
Your own personal key fob (Dorchester only)
CCTV monitoring and licence plate recognition technology for added security
Competitive pricing
Access to trolleys, lifts and even boxes and packing materials.

If the above sounds good, please feel free to call us at Dorchester on 01305 889777 and at Weymouth on 01305 830000.

Packing away your summer belongings… what type of storage you may need

The summer of 2021 came around and went pretty fast (despite the majority of us staying put in the UK since the beginning of 2020!). After speaking with many of our customers, it sounds like we all managed to make the most of it and enjoy what the Great British weather had in store for us.

So now summer is over for another year, we thought we would take a look into what people are storing with us, and what type of storage solution we would recommend.

Watersports equipment

Paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, surfboards, oars, wetsuits and everything else that you have to trawl down to the beach or harbour every time… Being this active is exhausting, right?

And now you have to find a home for all of it until next May time when it all starts again.

Our medium-sized storage units are plenty big enough to hold a range of different watersports equipment and are available at both our storage site locations. Looking for storage for sports equipment? Get in touch today.

Caravans and motorhomes

Unless you’re a hardcore motorhome/caravan enthusiast, chances are your pride and joy sits at home on your drive for a lot of the year and just makes its appearance during sunny weekends away throughout summer.

Whilst motorhomes are definitely not an eyesore, they are big, and that driveway space is precious nowadays. Plus, you don’t want to be leaving it out on the road if you can avoid it!

When storing your motorhome or caravan with Hogleaze Storage, you will have peace of mind that it will be in safe hands. We have indoor and outdoor plots at our Dorchester site, all of which are approximately 3 metres wide and 8 metres long.

Glamping and camping ‘stuff’

If you’re an avid camper you’ll know how much stuff you really need to take. Even if it’s just a long weekend trip, it can look like you packed for a 2 week holiday abroad. There’s tents, camping chairs, portable stove, battery packs, blankets, heaters, board games, air beds and sleeping bags (just to name a few things).

As well as saving space at home, keeping these belongings in a storage unit over winter can ensure that all this stuff doesn’t get damp or bitten away by mice in your garage. One of our smaller storage units up to 50 Sq Ft is a great alternative. You won’t have that last-minute fear that you’ll put your tent up with a huge hole right in the middle!

Outdoor furniture & BBQs

Not enough garage space? Outdoor furniture such as tables and chairs, sun loungers, other patio furniture, BBQs (or maybe that pizza oven you didn’t get much use out of) can be bulky and take up a lot of space. Quite frankly you will have probably only used it for about 2 or 3 months of the year. No fear, a storage option is here!

Our medium storage units are around the size of a single garage (75 – 100 Sq Ft) and are a good size for a typical two-bedroom home.

Your summer wardrobe

Are you one of those people that has a (slightly unhealthy) obsession with your wardrobe, but don’t have the space for your seasonal items to be hanging around? A smaller storage unit could be the answer.

Storing your clothes in a garage or similar can lead to them becoming damp and subsequently ruined, so a storage unit is a great option.

Our storage units start from 25 Sq Ft which coincidently is the perfect size for a small walk-in wardrobe.

Ready to sign on the dotted line?

Whether you are looking for a small 25 Sq Ft unit or the biggest we have at 150 Sq Ft, we are sure to find the perfect solution for your summer belongings.

We have storage sites at both Dorchester and Weymouth in Dorset. We always try to accommodate people, but if we don’t have availability you can always join our waiting list and we will be in touch with you.

For Weymouth self storage call our Weymouth branch on 01305 830000, and for Dorchester self storage call us on 01305 889777. If you are looking for vehicle storage, please call our Dorchester branch on 01305 889777.

Don’t forget, no deposit is required, so start storing today!

The telltale signs that you need a storage unit… ASAP!

Unsure if you need a storage unit in your life, keep putting it off, or don’t think it’s quite ‘necessary’ (trust us, if you’re reading this article, you probably already know you need one). If you need some convincing that a storage unit is the right solution for you, have a read of this article and see if you fit into any of these categories.

Your garage is bursting at the seams

Gone are the days when garages are actually used to store your car. In most cases they are now the home of garden tools, outside furniture, your tumble dryer, old paint pots (that you feel totally acquired to keep just in case one day you feel the need to ‘touch up the hallway’), mountains of bikes, kid’s toys, sports equipment and more.

Whether your garage has some kind of order, or it’s a complete jumble sale, could some of these items be better placed in a storage unit to come back to in the future?

Your spare room has turned into a dumping ground

You started with great intentions for your spare room, you’d have a constant stream of visitors staying over, and always keep it tidy and up together (much like a hotel room, with choccys on the pillows). Then one day you cleared out your wardrobe and chucked your unwanted clothes in there, then you bought a new sofa and the old one ended up in the spare room of doom too… a year later it’s full to the brim and uncontrollable. We know the feeling, but you can get back from this!

You have a big life milestone coming up

Moving house, starting university, having a baby – these are all occasions that are going to cause a lot of ‘stuff’ to build up in your home, before it gets out of control… store it!

Whether you are making room for your new arrival and need that extra double bed to be out of sight, out of mind, or you’re downsizing and not sure what you want to keep just yet, this all calls for a flexible storage solution.

You have plans for redecorating or renovation

Making changes to your home can be a little stressful at the best of times, with tradesmen in and out, dust sheets covering your home and paint brushes filling up the sink, it’s always a little easier to start with a clean slate.

By putting your large furniture pieces into storage, such as sofas, beds, wardrobes, and TV’s, you’re avoiding breakages and making more space for the renovations to take place.

Your driveway is looking a bit like a game of Tetris

You may be surprised to hear that the average number of cars per household in the UK in 2021 is 1.2, and with more houses being built, and less having those huge driveways, off road car parking is looking pretty sparse.

So, if you’re a bit of a car fanatic, or have recently purchased a caravan or motorhome, you may find it difficult to keep those vehicles parked. Plus, if they’re your pride and joy, you want to keep them scuff and bump free!

Car storage and caravan/motorhome storage is becoming increasingly popular. With wide bays, inside and outside options, your vehicles will be in safe hands.

Your business is rapidly expanding

With the end of this pandemic in sight, there has been a huge change for all industries in terms of the way business works, and for many, it’s now just starting to pick up.

Whether it’s storage for physical stock or you’re looking for document storage, business storage units can free up some space and allow you to look at the bigger picture. Smashing your business goals on the way!

Did you fit into any of these categories?

If any of this sounds a bit familiar, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, it happens to the best of us. But what you must know is that self storage can and will help you!

Whether it’s long term or short term, large or small, a clearer home or business is a clearer mind.

Learn more about our self storage and vehicle storage and get in contact with us for a quote. We get very full (despite having over 400 units) so if you are thinking ahead, you can always book in advance.

Call us at Dorchester on 01305 889777 or Weymouth on 01305 830000, alternatively, send us an email on info@hogleazestorage.co.uk.

How to make moving day less stressful

Did you know that July and August are the most popular months to move house in the UK? And if we’re drilling down to the exact day, it’s the last Friday in August! With this in mind, we thought we would share our top tips to make your moving day a little less stressful, calm and simple as possible.

As a large storage company in Dorset, we talk to our fair share of homemovers, so we’ve seen house moves of every size, from small 1 bedroom apartments to 5 bedroom mansions. At the end of the day, your moving day should follow a few simple rules regardless.

Preparation is key

If you’ve previously moved before, you’ll know that unfortunately moving house in the UK doesn’t always go as planned. But if you can prepare for every eventuality you’ll be putting yourself in the best position.

Keep a folder of all the house moving documents

Moving house comes with a lot of paperwork – from solicitors, estate agents and mortgage companies. Keep everything in one folder (ideally with sections for each!) so it’s all easily accessible for when you need it. Keep it at the ready on moving day in case you need any of it.

Start packing early

Realistically, you don’t want to wait until the exchange of contracts to start packing up your possessions, especially if you’re packing up 20 years worth of belongings. We know some people say it’s tempting fate by starting early, but it will make moving week much easier.

Label everything

And we mean everything, from the box of fancy dress clothes that have been in the loft, to your special china that no one actually uses, labelling your boxes saves tons of time.

We recommend writing on each box: Room | Items | Fragile / Not Fragile

Pull in the cavalry

Firstly, we would suggest you get your children (and/or pets) looked after for the day if possible, keeping them occupied is then one less thing you need to worry about.

Next up, get a few close family members or friends to help with the move, simply moving boxes in and out can be pretty exhausting if you don’t have support. They can also help with cleaning duties at both properties.

Top tip: Ask the buyers, or the estate agent to leave a little list behind with some key information, such as when bin day is, what keys are for what door, how the heating or alarm works etc. This will make everything much more manageable for you.

Create an essentials box

The last thing you want to happen is that you get your keys to your new home, start moving in and then realise some items you NEED are just nowhere to be seen. Create a moving day essentials box, we’d recommend the following:

Toilet roll
Tea / Coffee / milk and a few mugs
Chargers
Biscuits and snacks
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Change of clothes

Top tip: Take a photo of the back of your TV unit and wifi box, there are so many cables that you may not know where each one goes when you get to your new home.

Try not to do too much

As long as you’re out of your old home, and have done a triple check (don’t forget the loft) of that house, take your time to move into your new one.

Try to enjoy the process as much as possible, crank up the party tunes, pop open the bubbles and once you’re done for the day, find your local takeaway and relax… don’t forget the hard part is done now, you’ve got your keys you can celebrate!

Book help if you need it

Not everyone is in the position to move their belongings straight into their new home, or maybe you want to buy new furniture but haven’t arranged for your old beds and sofas to be sold yet. You may also decide to re carpet or paint before you move everything in – it’s far easier without all the furniture in.

Having a storage unit ready to move some of your possessions into can just take a weight off your shoulders.

At Hogleaze Storage we work with a local moving company, so we can pick up your stuff, and bring it here without having to burden you whatsoever.

Get in touch with Hogleaze Storage

Hopefully, this article has eased your mind a little bit about the prospect of moving house soon. If you are looking for a storage unit, we have storage facilities in Weymouth and Dorchester. Give us a call on 01305 889777 (Dorchester) or 01305 830000 (Weymouth).