- Original Poster
- #1
I'm currently using storage space at premises I'm probably going to sell in a month or two when things get better - the capital will replace my pension pot that I've been living on due to no business.
All I really need is somewhere waterproof and dry, on one level, with electricity, so containers are out, and Big Yellow type locations are out because I'd like to be able to do prep and repair work on the kit between hires. A small unit locally costs around £450 a month upwards. However, our town is losing shops quickly and our old High Street has empty shops galore, and rents from £250 a month upwards. Some already have security shutters or grills, making these attractive.
I'm aware that use is linked to planning permission, but how rigidly is this applied. I buy stock, and often sell it too. It's hired out though for most of the time. I would have zero customers as a shop, but I've noticed a couple of other premises where they appear to sell things, but are never open, so my guess is they are doing the same thing. For £250 I get sufficient floor space, electricity and a toilet. It's local and convenient. I don't make much noise or have large amounts going in or out. For two months a year there would be no activity at all.
Price wise this seems a real solution. Business rates for a new shop would also seem to be fine.
Are there some drawbacks to doing this I've missed? To be honest, with a shop, I might even be able to sell the odd thing anyway? A bit like a shop in a nearby town who seem to sell computer servers, but who would walk into a shop to sell one of these? I suspect it's the same thing.
I'd be happy putting the business name on the front - and a few bits of industrial type kit in the window - the sort of thing not attractive to thieves but interesting to look at. Security arrangements for some already look pretty good as one shop used to be a jewellers and is protected like one. There's even a remote possibility the shop could actually generate a few hires, if I buy a few bits of less professional kit.
What have I missed that makes people spend double on storage?
All I really need is somewhere waterproof and dry, on one level, with electricity, so containers are out, and Big Yellow type locations are out because I'd like to be able to do prep and repair work on the kit between hires. A small unit locally costs around £450 a month upwards. However, our town is losing shops quickly and our old High Street has empty shops galore, and rents from £250 a month upwards. Some already have security shutters or grills, making these attractive.
I'm aware that use is linked to planning permission, but how rigidly is this applied. I buy stock, and often sell it too. It's hired out though for most of the time. I would have zero customers as a shop, but I've noticed a couple of other premises where they appear to sell things, but are never open, so my guess is they are doing the same thing. For £250 I get sufficient floor space, electricity and a toilet. It's local and convenient. I don't make much noise or have large amounts going in or out. For two months a year there would be no activity at all.
Price wise this seems a real solution. Business rates for a new shop would also seem to be fine.
Are there some drawbacks to doing this I've missed? To be honest, with a shop, I might even be able to sell the odd thing anyway? A bit like a shop in a nearby town who seem to sell computer servers, but who would walk into a shop to sell one of these? I suspect it's the same thing.
I'd be happy putting the business name on the front - and a few bits of industrial type kit in the window - the sort of thing not attractive to thieves but interesting to look at. Security arrangements for some already look pretty good as one shop used to be a jewellers and is protected like one. There's even a remote possibility the shop could actually generate a few hires, if I buy a few bits of less professional kit.
What have I missed that makes people spend double on storage?
