FMJ.CO.UK STORAGE FOCUS
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 41
Statistics from Savills reveal that
property vacancy rates in the City of
London rose from 5.3 per cent in March
2020 to nine per cent in June 2021
because more companies opted not to
renew their leases. Indeed, many are
now taking the time to decide what the
most logical approach may be for their
firm moving forward – be it oŽ ice-based,
hybrid, or fully remote.
It is likely that the majority of companies
will still require and desire some kind
of oŽ ice space. Dedicated company
workspaces have been proven to boost
employee wellbeing, enhance innovation
and collaboration, cultivate relationships,
and more easily instil company-wide
cultures.
However, what these workspaces look
like will, in many cases, change as the
needs of occupants’ shi— , be it downsizing
or rethinking what the workplace should
look like to address the needs of the
employee more eŽ ectively in the new
normal.
GETTING RELOCATION RIGHT
During this interim period, solutions
will be required to reduce some of the
pressures and provide businesses with
peace of mind.
When a company leaves a premises,
it is unlikely they will take absolutely
everything with them in the aim of
putting together the exact same set
up in their next oŽ ice. Instead,
moving o— en provides the
perfect opportunity to
discard unwanted items
and replace them with
modern, updated
replacements, from IT
equipment through
to artwork and
furnishings.
However, deciding
what to move, store,
recycle, refurbish and/or
donate is easier said than
done.
Some companies may be
tempted to continue storing items
in their old workplace for the sake of
convenience, yet this is a highly
uneconomical approach, with offi ce
space costing considerably more per
square metre than warehouses or
dedicated storage units.”
STRATEGIC STORAGE
There are many considerations that
should be taken at this stage, including
the cost of storage, the length of time an
item will be le— in storage, and the cost of
a new or replacement item should you opt
not to keep the old one.
Some companies may be tempted
to continue storing items in their old
workplace for the sake of convenience, yet
this is a highly uneconomical approach,
with oŽ ice space costing considerably
more per square metre than warehouses or
dedicated storage units.
Take location, for example. Those
companies based in city centres may find
cheaper storage opportunities a few miles
away.
Firms should also create a digital list of
their assets that can be updated in realtime
(and ideally including images),
taking note of the condition of
each item before it leaves a site
or goes into storage. This will
ensure it is easy to identify
when assets have been
lost or stolen, with a
proven and traceable
record.
The challenge with
these endeavours,
however, is that many
firms won’t have the
time, ability or funds to
tick such boxes.
Moving large assets long
distances may prove extremely
time diŽ icult for a company lacking in
transport options. Equally, making a
digital list of assets is desirable, but a highly
time-consuming process.
FIVE THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A
STORAGE PARTNER
It is for this reason that firms o— en opt
to partner with a dedicated storage and
relocation services provider that has the
experience, expertise, knowledge and tools
to deliver as needed.