Hiring somebody new should be a sign that your business is growing.
But sometimes it exposes a problem you hadn’t really noticed before.
There isn’t actually anywhere for them to work.
The spare desk has become a storage area.
Old furniture fills the back office.
Marketing materials are stacked against the wall.
Boxes of equipment occupy what should be usable workspace.
Seasonal stock has found its way into the staff room.
And the cupboard that was supposed to contain stationery now contains several years’ worth of miscellaneous business belongings.
Before committing to larger premises simply because your existing workspace feels crowded, it may be worth asking a simpler question:
How much of the space is actually being used by people — and how much is being used for storage?
Moving suitable business belongings into self storage can release valuable working space without immediately increasing your permanent property costs.
SecureStore provides flexible business self storage across Bury, Manchester, Failsworth, Salford and the wider Greater Manchester area.
2-Week Flash Offer: First Month’s Storage for Just £1
If your business needs additional space right now, SecureStore is currently running a limited promotion.
For a two-week period, eligible new customers can get their:
FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE FOR JUST £1
Subject to offer terms, eligibility and availability.
That could make now an ideal time to clear suitable equipment, furniture, marketing materials and general business belongings from your workplace before new employees arrive.
Call 0161 470 0288 to check availability and current offer conditions.
When Business Growth Creates a Space Problem
Many small businesses use their premises differently as they grow.
At the beginning, an office might have four desks and two employees.
The unused space gradually becomes convenient storage.
Then the business hires employee number three.
And four.
Suddenly, all the “spare” space isn’t spare anymore.
The same can happen in:
- Retail premises
- Workshops
- Studios
- Clinics
- Professional offices
- Service businesses
- Multi-site companies
Space that wasn’t previously valuable becomes important once more people need to use it.
Calculate the Cost of Your Storage Room
If you’re renting commercial premises, every square foot has a cost.
Imagine an entire office or significant section of your premises is being used for boxes and equipment.
You’re effectively paying commercial-property costs for storage.
That may still make sense in some circumstances.
But it is worth comparing the value of that space as:
a storeroom
versus:
a productive workspace for another employee.
If relocating suitable stored belongings allows you to accommodate additional staff, self storage may help you use your existing premises more efficiently.
Do a Workplace Space Audit
Before looking for larger premises, walk through your current workspace.
Look carefully at what occupies each area.
Ask:
- Is this used every day?
- Does it need to be immediately accessible?
- Could it be stored elsewhere?
- Is it obsolete?
- Why are we still keeping it?
- Could it be sold or donated?
- Is there a legal or operational reason to retain it?
You may discover that a surprising amount of space is occupied by belongings rather than people.
Start with Old Office Furniture
Growing businesses often accumulate furniture.
Old desks aren’t thrown away because they might be useful.
Spare chairs are stacked in a corner.
Filing cabinets remain even though much of the business has become digital.
Previous reception furniture sits in a back room after a refurbishment.
Some of these items may genuinely be worth retaining.
Others aren’t.
Separate furniture into:
Currently needed
Worth retaining
Sell or donate
Dispose responsibly
Suitable furniture worth keeping can potentially be moved into storage rather than occupying your everyday workspace.
Create Space for New Desks
Adding a new employee isn’t simply about finding somewhere to put a chair.
They may need:
- A suitable desk
- Computer equipment
- Storage
- Access to shared facilities
- Comfortable working space
- Appropriate lighting
Workplace layout and health and safety requirements should always be considered properly.
The Health and Safety Executive provides official UK workplace health and safety guidance for employers.
Don’t simply squeeze another desk into an unsuitable gap because the rest of the room is filled with boxes.
Apprentices Can Create a Different Kind of Growth
Apprenticeships can allow businesses to develop new talent while building their workforce.
But bringing an apprentice into the company still requires appropriate working space, equipment and organisation.
Information for employers considering apprenticeships is available through the GOV.UK apprenticeships guidance.
If you’re recruiting apprentices or trainees, preparing the workplace before they arrive can help create a much better first impression.
A new employee shouldn’t spend their first morning watching somebody clear boxes from the desk they’ve been allocated.
Clear the Back Office
Back offices are particularly vulnerable to becoming unofficial storage rooms.
Things gradually accumulate because customers don’t see the area.
You might find:
- Boxes
- Spare equipment
- Promotional materials
- Packaging
- Furniture
- Seasonal displays
- Old signage
Eventually, what could be useful working space becomes inaccessible.
Clearing suitable items into organised storage may allow the area to become productive again.
Marketing Materials Don’t Need a Desk
Printed marketing materials can take up considerable space.
Businesses may have:
- Brochures
- Leaflets
- Exhibition stands
- Banners
- Branded merchandise
- Promotional displays
- Event equipment
If these items are only required occasionally, they don’t necessarily need to occupy prime everyday workspace.
Store suitable materials together and bring them out when required.
Seasonal Displays Can Leave the Premises
Retail and customer-facing businesses may own decorations and displays for:
- Christmas
- Halloween
- Easter
- Summer promotions
- Sales events
- Product launches
They may be valuable for several years but only used for a few weeks at a time.
A storage unit can provide somewhere for appropriate seasonal materials between campaigns.
Label everything clearly so next year’s team can actually find it.
What About Business Records?
Many companies still hold physical paperwork.
Some documents may need to be retained for legal, accounting or operational reasons.
Others may simply have accumulated because nobody has reviewed them.
Before destroying business records, check relevant retention requirements.
HM Revenue & Customs provides official guidance concerning records businesses may need to retain. See current information through HMRC.
Where records no longer need to be retained, confidential paperwork should be disposed of securely.
Where physical documents genuinely need keeping, organise and label them properly rather than allowing random boxes to occupy valuable office space.
Don’t Move Rubbish into Storage
This is one of the most important rules.
Self storage should help your business become more organised.
It shouldn’t become a place where unwanted belongings disappear because nobody wants to make a decision.
Before storing anything, ask:
Would we pay to replace this if it disappeared tomorrow?
If the answer is no, consider whether you genuinely need it.
Create an Equipment Library
Some businesses own equipment that is useful but infrequently required.
Instead of keeping it spread across different offices, you could create an organised equipment area.
Depending on the business, appropriate examples might include:
- Exhibition equipment
- Display stands
- Spare furniture
- Event equipment
- Promotional materials
- Seasonal signage
- General business equipment
Record what is stored and who takes it.
This becomes particularly useful as the team grows.
Multi-Site Businesses Can Centralise Surplus Equipment
Once a company has several locations, each branch can start accumulating its own spare belongings.
One site has six spare chairs.
Another has two unused desks.
A third needs both.
Centralised storage can make suitable surplus equipment easier to manage across the business.
Instead of buying something new automatically, check the central inventory first.
Prepare Before Recruitment, Not Afterwards
If you know recruitment is planned, don’t wait until the employee starts.
Several weeks beforehand:
- Review the available workspace.
- Identify what is occupying unnecessary space.
- Remove obsolete items.
- Move suitable infrequently used belongings into storage.
- Arrange furniture.
- Prepare equipment.
- Test the workstation.
Then when the new starter arrives, the workplace is ready.
A Better First Impression for Employees
Recruitment is a two-way process.
The business is evaluating the employee.
But the employee is also evaluating the business.
An organised workspace can communicate that the company is prepared and professional.
A chaotic room filled with boxes can communicate something very different.
Creating space isn’t only about fitting another desk into the building.
It’s about creating an environment in which people can work effectively.
Could Hybrid Working Change Your Space Requirements?
Before moving premises, also consider how your team actually works.
If employees operate on a hybrid basis, your requirements may differ from a company where everybody is present five days per week.
You may be able to redesign your existing workspace rather than immediately taking more property.
That could involve:
- Shared workstations
- Meeting areas
- Breakout space
- Better storage
- Improved layout
The important point is to understand your operational requirements before making a major property commitment.
When Larger Commercial Premises Are the Right Answer
Self storage isn’t intended to prevent businesses from moving.
Sometimes you’ve genuinely outgrown your premises.
You may need:
- More production space
- Additional offices
- Customer areas
- Loading facilities
- A warehouse
- Specialist facilities
- Significantly more parking
At that point, moving to suitable commercial property may be the right decision.
But if your only problem is that a potential office is currently filled with Christmas decorations and spare furniture, solve the storage problem first.
Then reassess.
Keep Fixed Costs Under Control
Recruiting increases operating costs.
Depending on the role, you may have:
- Salary
- Employer National Insurance
- Pension contributions
- Equipment
- Training
- Software
- Recruitment costs
Adding larger premises at exactly the same time can further increase fixed overheads.
Resources for businesses considering finance and growth are available through the British Business Bank.
Growing sustainably can sometimes mean extracting more value from the space and assets you already have before increasing long-term commitments.
Self Storage During an Office Refurbishment
Recruitment may also trigger an office redesign.
Perhaps you’re replacing:
- Desks
- Flooring
- Decoration
- Meeting-room furniture
- Reception furniture
Temporary storage can help keep suitable equipment and furniture away from the working area while refurbishment takes place.
Once the work is complete, only bring back what the business actually needs.
Removal + Storage for Businesses
Moving bulky furniture and equipment can be one of the biggest obstacles to reorganising a workplace.
SecureStore also provides Removal + Storage solutions.
Speak to our team about the suitable business belongings you need moving and the options available.
This can be particularly useful when clearing an office before:
- Recruitment
- Refurbishment
- Relocation
- Expansion
- Reorganisation
Professional Mailbox Service
If your growing business is still operated partly or entirely from home, SecureStore also offers a professional mailbox service from £5 per week.
A dedicated correspondence address can help separate suitable everyday business mail from your residential address.
This can be useful for startups, consultants, contractors, online businesses and other home-based operations.
A correspondence mailbox and statutory registered office aren’t automatically the same thing, so companies should check current Companies House requirements where applicable.
Business Storage Insurance
Suitable business belongings placed into storage require appropriate insurance.
The combined value of:
- Furniture
- Equipment
- Marketing materials
- Stock
- Business supplies
can be significantly higher than expected.
SecureStore can provide storage insurance at a very competitive price.
Make sure your declared value appropriately reflects what is being stored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can self storage help us avoid moving office?
Potentially. If your existing premises are crowded primarily because they’re being used for storage, moving suitable infrequently used belongings elsewhere may free additional working space. If the business has genuinely outgrown the premises operationally, larger commercial accommodation may still be necessary.
Can we store office furniture?
Many types of suitable office furniture can be stored when properly prepared. Speak to SecureStore about your particular requirements.
Can we store marketing and exhibition materials?
Many suitable marketing, display and exhibition materials can be stored. Check with our team if you are uncertain about a particular item.
What is SecureStore’s current flash offer?
For a limited two-week period, eligible new customers can get their first month’s storage for just £1, subject to terms, eligibility and availability.
Call 0161 470 0288 to check the current promotion.
Can SecureStore help move our office furniture?
SecureStore also provides Removal + Storage solutions. Speak to our team about the belongings you need moving.
Is storage insurance available?
Yes. SecureStore can provide storage insurance at a very competitive price.
2-Week Flash Offer: First Month’s Storage for £1
If you’re recruiting, reorganising or simply trying to create more usable space in your business premises, now could be an ideal time to clear the workplace.
For a limited two-week period, eligible new SecureStore customers can get:
FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE FOR JUST £1
Use suitable storage space for appropriate:
- Spare office furniture
- Marketing materials
- Exhibition equipment
- Seasonal displays
- Business equipment
- General business supplies
Free up the workplace and give your growing team more room.
Offer terms, eligibility and availability apply.
How to Arrange Business Storage
- Walk through your premises and identify areas being used primarily for storage.
- Separate essential everyday belongings from infrequently used items.
- Dispose of, sell or donate things the business genuinely doesn’t need.
- Create an inventory of suitable belongings worth retaining.
- Contact SecureStore.
- Ask about the first-month-for-£1 flash offer.
- We’ll help you consider an appropriate storage option.
- Arrange suitable storage insurance.
- Label and organise everything before moving it.
- Ask about Removal + Storage if you need help moving suitable furniture or equipment.
Make Room for People, Not Boxes
Business premises should support the people who generate revenue and keep the organisation moving.
If an entire room could become productive workspace simply by relocating belongings that are used twice a year, it may be time to rethink how you’re using your property.
Clear the unnecessary clutter.
Organise the equipment worth retaining.
Create proper space for new employees.
And only take on larger premises when the business genuinely requires them.
For a limited period, SecureStore is also offering eligible new customers their first month’s storage for just £1.
Telephone: 0161 470 0288
Email: info@securestoreselfstorage.co.uk
Visit: 574 Manchester Road, Bury, BL9 9SW
FLASH OFFER: FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE FOR £1 – AVAILABLE FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY.
SecureStore provides flexible personal and business self storage, Removal + Storage and professional mailbox services across Bury, Manchester, Failsworth, Salford and the wider Greater Manchester area.
