Are You Insured Correctly?  In today’s self-storage market, risk management isn’t just a compliance exercise, it’s critical to protecting your business, your reputation, and your long-term success.  At Basil Fry, we work closely with operators across the sector to ensure their insurance arrangements genuinely reflect the risks they face. Yet one of the most common issues we encounter is simple, many businesses are not insured correctly.  The Hidden Risk of Underinsurance  Insurance should provide peace of mind and not just tick a box. However, underinsurance is widespread. Recent surveys suggest that a large proportion of UK commercial properties are insured below their true value. For self-storage operators, this can have serious financial consequences.  If your sums insured are too low, the average clause can apply. This means your insurer will only pay a proportion of any claim, even for partial losses.  For example: If the cost to rebuild your building is £10 million but insured for only £7 million, you are effectively 70% covered. A £1 million claim could result in a payout of just £700,000, leaving you to fund the remaining £300,000.  That shortfall can be the difference between recovery and long-term disruption.  Getting Your Property Values Right  Buildings  When insuring your property, it’s essential to base your sum insured on rebuild cost and not market value. This should include:  Full reconstruction costs  Labour and materials at current prices  Debris removal  Professional fees  External structures such as walls, gates and yards  Market valuations or mortgage figures are not suitable for insurance and often exclude key elements. We recommend reviewing rebuild costs regularly, with a professional valuation at least every three years.  Fit Out and Improvements  Self-storage facilities often include significant investment in:  Units and partitioning  Access systems  Security infrastructure  These costs must be reflected accurately in your cover. If [...]

Basil Fry was proud to once again support the British Association of Removers (BAR) at this year’s conference, which brought together professionals from the removals sector for two days of insight, collaboration and celebration.  The event provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues, share knowledge, and discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the sector. With a strong programme of educational sessions, delegates benefited from a range of expert speakers offering practical insights and fresh perspectives on key industry topics.  A standout moment of the conference was the presentation of an Honorary Life Membership to Mark Chudley, recognising his outstanding contribution and long-standing commitment to the industry. Having worked closely with Mark over the past 12 years, the Basil Fry team was delighted to see him receive this well-earned recognition.  The event also celebrated success across the sector, with Crown Workspace and Russell Fewins Ltd (providing Business Workspace Solutions) jointly awarded Workplace Relocation Company of the Year — a testament to their excellence and innovation in the field.  Beyond the formal programme, the conference offered invaluable time to strengthen relationships and connect with peers, highlighting the collaborative spirit that continues to drive the removals industry forward.  Basil Fry extends its thanks to the BAR team for delivering such a well-organised and engaging event, and looks forward to continuing its support in the years ahead.               

Basil Fry was delighted to attend this year’s Self Storage Association UK (SSA UK) Annual Conference, an event that once again brought together operators, suppliers and industry professionals from across the sector for a highly engaging and insightful few days.  The conference provided a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with clients, partners and peers, as well as to continue important conversations around the evolving risks and opportunities within the self-storage industry. The strong attendance and level of engagement throughout the event highlighted the continued growth and resilience of the sector.  As part of our continued support for the industry, Basil Fry was proud to sponsor the UK Independent Operator of the Year Award. The category showcased the high standards and innovation demonstrated by operators across the country, with an impressive shortlist including:  HOLD Self Storage – King’s Cross  Here Self Storage – Loughborough  Hills Self Storage – Colchester  Simple Self Store – Motherwell  Congratulations go to Here Self Storage, who were named this year’s winner — a well-deserved achievement recognising their commitment to excellence.  During the conference, Basil Fry also delivered a Risk Management session on Day 2, focusing on key considerations for self storage operators when reviewing their insurance arrangements. The session saw strong engagement, with attendees contributing to discussions around practical risk mitigation strategies and the importance of ensuring policies accurately reflect evolving business needs.  In addition to the main conference programme, the team enjoyed attending the Women in Storage Europe (WISE) event, which provided a valuable opportunity to connect with and celebrate the contributions of women across the industry.  The SSA UK Annual Conference continues to play an important role in bringing the sector together, encouraging knowledge sharing and strengthening professional relationships. Basil Fry is proud to support such a dynamic and collaborative industry and extends its thanks to the SSA UK team for [...]

We’re delighted to announce Melissa Stoy has been appointed as Commercial Director at Basil Fry & Company. Melissa has been part of the business for nearly 15 years, and her commitment, passion, and deep understanding of our clients, staff and our market make her an exceptional fit for this role. We know Basil Fry means a great deal to Melissa. Please join us in congratulating Melissa. We’re thrilled to see the impact her leadership will continue to have across the business and for our clients and staff.

The Movers & Storers Show 2025 proved to be an incredible two days for the Basil Fry team, filled with valuable conversations, industry insights, and plenty of fun along the way. As a company built on strong relationships, we were delighted to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new contacts from across the removals and storage sector. Events like this are a fantastic opportunity to strengthen partnerships and share ideas that drive the industry forward. One of the highlights of the show was our popular Putting Challenge, which brought out the competitive spirit in many attendees! A huge thank you to everyone who took part and congratulations to our winners: 1st – Josh Ellis (Clockwork Removals and Storage) 2nd – Jon Staley (Thornbury Self Storage) 3rd – Becky France (Now Storage Ltd) Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and made the event such a success. Here’s to another fantastic year ahead – and we look forward to seeing you all at the Movers & Storers Show 2026!

What an incredible few days we had at the Young Movers Conference!  Basil Fry & Company were proud to be the main sponsor of this year’s event, which brought together some of the brightest and most passionate professionals from across the moving and relocation industry. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas. We had the pleasure of hearing from fantastic speakers, including Andrew Large and Sarah Cole, who shared valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry’s future. Their perspectives on innovation, leadership, and sustainability gave everyone plenty to reflect on as we look ahead to continued growth and positive change. A highlight of the event was our very own Amy King Cert CII, CILA, who hosted an engaging quiz— a fun and interactive way to blend learning with laughter! Congratulations to Abigail Pogson for coming out on top and taking home the prize 🏆. We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to the BAR Young Movers Council for organising such a seamless and inspiring event. The dedication, passion, and attention to detail that go into making this conference happen each year truly make it a standout occasion in the industry calendar. It’s always a privilege for Basil Fry & Company to connect with colleagues, partners, and new faces who share the same drive to move the industry forward. We’re already looking ahead to next year’s conference and can’t wait to see how the Young Movers community continues to evolve!                                         

Nothing brings a team together quite like mud, sweat, and determination — and the Basil Fry crew proved exactly that during the Tough Mudder challenge on 21st September. Working together to overcome a series of demanding obstacles, the team demonstrated incredible teamwork, resilience, and camaraderie throughout the event. Despite the gruelling conditions, there was no shortage of smiles, laughter, and encouragement as everyone pushed through to the finish line. The day was a resounding success, with the team describing it as both challenging and immensely rewarding. A special thank you goes to Jessica Bullard and Sam Laslett for their outstanding efforts in organising the event and bringing the team together for such a memorable experience. Bring on 2026!  

Season’s Greetings from Basil Fry!   As we approach the festive season, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued trust in Basil Fry. Your support means the world to us.    Please note that our offices will operate with adjusted hours.  Holiday Opening Hours  Tue, 24th Dec  10 am – 4 pm   Christmas & Boxing Day  Closed   Fri, 27th Dec   10 am – 4 pm   Mon, 30th Dec  10 am – 4 pm   Tue, 31st Dec  10 am – 3 pm   New Year’s Day  Closed    A lot has happened this year, from joining Jensten Group and expanding our services, to proudly winning the prestigious SSAA Awards 2024. As we reflect on a successful year, we’re excited about the opportunities the New Year will bring. From expanding our offerings to deepening our client relationships, 2025 promises to be another great year of working together.  This year has been remarkable, thanks to our valued clients like you, and our teams’ hard work and dedication.   From all of us at Basil Fry, we wish you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year and we look forward to working with you in 2025!         

Basil Fry’s StoreProtect Celebrates Victory at SSAA Awards 2024 We are excited to announce that our self storage specialist, Basil Fry & Company, is a proud winner of the Excellence in Industry Award for their StoreProtect product at the prestigious SSAA Awards 2024, hosted by the Self Storage Association of Australasia (SSAA). These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements within the self-storage sector, highlighting companies and individuals who set the benchmark in innovation, leadership, sustainability, community engagement, and operational excellence. Winning this award reflects our passion, hard work, and dedication to making a significant positive impact on the self storage sector. A huge thank you to our team, the award judges, and the SSAA for recognising the hard work that went into this success. We extend a special appreciation to Aviso, our valued partner, whose support and collaboration have been instrumental in achieving this milestone. “Being nominated in this category is a testament to our commitment to the self storage industry.” Said Adam Kellaway, Basil Fry’s Technical Director. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact of our hard work being recognised by the industry experts. This SSAA award highlights the significant benefits StoreProtect brings to the self storage industry.”  The Basil Fry team looks forward to continuing to focus on supporting clients, advancing the self-storage sector, and delivering solutions that matter. To all our clients, partners, and supporters – thank you for being part of this journey. This award belongs to everyone who has contributed to making Basil Fry’s StoreProtect product a trusted solution in the global self storage industry. Congratulations to all the finalists and everyone making a difference in the self storage sector. Together, we are driving the industry forward.

Basil Fry Shortlisted for Excellence in Industry at the SSAA Awards 2024 We are delighted to announce that Basil Fry StoreProtect has been shortlisted for the Excellence in Industry category at the SSAA Awards 2024. These prestigious awards, hosted by the Self Storage Association of Australia (SSAA), celebrate the outstanding achievements within the self-storage sector, highlighting companies and individuals who set the benchmark in innovation, leadership, sustainability, community engagement and operational excellence. Adam Kellaway, Technical Director, says “Being nominated in this category is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our innovative StoreProtect solution. It’s great to see the hard work which has gone into StoreProtect is making a significant contribution to the self-storage industry and its consumers, and that it is being recognised by the panel of judges”. The winners of the 2024 SSAA Industry Excellence Awards will be revealed at the Gala Dinner, sponsored by VISY Boxed & More. This incredible evening will be help on 14th November at the JW Marriot Hotel & Spa, Surfers Paradise. Industry leaders, innovators, and other outstanding guests, including our fantastic partner, Aviso, will gather to honour the best in the sector. This recognition reaffirms Basil Fry’s dedication to advancing industry standards and delivering outstanding value and service to our clients. We look forward to celebrating this event alongside our peers, as well as all the finalists and attendees. Stay tuned for the updates and the announcement of the winners!