12th December 2013
Charities

Armadillo Hull nominated for Business in the Community award.

The team at Armadillo Self Storage Hull have been nominated for a Hull Daily Mail business award as recognition for the work they do in their local community. The team were shortlisted for the competitive “Business in the Community” award for their work for “Life for a Kid”, a local charity that offers support to children who require life-changing operations. Armadillo Hull has been supporting the local charity for four years by offering free storage space – just one of many charities the team supports. John Colley, a member of the team, also provides resource for other local charities and offers training and merchandise tips for local charity stores. John was individually recognised with an “Outstanding contribution” award. We’re really proud of the team’s great work. They certainly looked the part at the ceremony!

11th December 2013
Features - Wine Blog

Top tips for how to best store your wine at home

Here at Big Yellow we’re known for storing your belongings – but did you know that we also offer 500 climate-controlled rooms to store your treasured wine collection? Whether you have 15 or 500 bottles we have the space to keep your whites chilled, reds full of flavour and your fizz… sparkling! Whether you’ve been given a case for posterity, a bottle to mark a milestone or you’re preparing for a special event – make sure you’re wine is looked after at home. We’ve put together some top tips from our wine expert Matthew Wicksteed to help you store your wine at home. 1. Stay cool Wine doesn’t like heat and temperatures higher than 21° C will age it more quickly than necessary. If it gets much hotter your wine might get “cooked,” resulting in flat aromas and flavours. The […]

1st November 2013
Charities

The Chiswick Crew Have Muddy Good Fun

After weeks of training, a team of six brave souls from the Big Yellow store in Chiswick took part in Push it for the Peace, a demanding five mile obstacle course in aid of the Peace Hospice in Watford. The gruelling challenge saw Nikki, Gino, Aqua, Darren, Anna and Ali climbing, crawling, swinging and splashing their way through miles of testing obstacles set around Cassiobury Park, Watford. Nikki Wilson, Big Yellow charity co-ordinator, comments: “This is the second time this year that we have been involved in this terrific initiative and it is a cause that we feel extremely passionate about. We will continue our support to help the charity reach their targets. The mud won’t defeat us!” Each year The Peace Hospice aims to raise £3.8 million in order to run and develop their services, which are free to […]

18th July 2013
Charities

Big Yellow’s Big Battle in 100K Charity Run

Ali Velayat from Big Yellow Chiswick is the toast of the store after raising £700 for Macmillan Cancer Care, as part of a gruelling London to Brighton running challenge. Ali, store manager, took on the punishing test, covering over 100 kilometres and 1,400 metres of ascent on varied terrain completing the race in 12 hours and 47 minutes – far ahead of the other 1,750 competitors. Starting in Richmond Upon Thames, the route headed south into the suburbs of London, then on through the heart of Surrey and Sussex, over the South Downs towards the finish line in Brighton. Well done, Ali, from all at Big Yellow!

5th July 2013
Features

Key to a happy home? Clear out some space for a Man Cave

Enjoyed by the likes of Hollywood heartthrobs, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, the trend of the ‘Man Cave’ is also taking off in the homes of Brits. In a recent survey we commissioned, 61% of British men say they have created their own ‘Man Cave’ in their home. Any why are they creating this space? Over a third (36%) of men say that they are at the end of their tether from arguing with their partner at least once or twice a week about the space their possessions take up. But it’s not all doom and gloom. 79% of men believe that having a place where they can store their possessions and indulge in their pastimes is actually beneficial to their relationship – this sentiment was mirrored by 60% of women, despite 40% worrying that a ‘Man Cave’ is merely […]

26th June 2013
Features - News

Upcycling objects from the home or workplace by Richard Bloomfield at The Workplace Depot

Upcycling is the process of using something that is worn out or broken and making something better and more useful from it. Whereas ‘recycling’ is about taking waste and producing new raw materials, upcycling is about creating a new and useful product. Both are important in reducing waste and landfill as well as making better use of the dwindling resources of the planet. Before throwing anything substantial away from your home or place of work, always have a quick think about whether it can be recycled, or better still upcycled into something new and useful. In this article I have found a few examples of some imaginative and creative ways that people have used objects to make something interesting rather than throwing them away. In the world of art and design many people are looking towards ‘upcycling’ for inspiration – […]

24th May 2013
Charities

Big Yellow Chelmsford add a touch of colour to Farleigh Hospice’s summer.

A team from Big Yellow gave up their free time this month to help out the Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford with some DIY painting. Matt, Dave, George, Hayley and Samantha set to work painting the walls in the hospice’s private gardens. These tranquil areas are hugely important to the hospice, providing a welcoming and peaceful place for people to visit. The Farleigh Hospice is one of Big Yellow’s chosen charities which provides hospice care to people affected by life limiting illnesses across mid Essex. Since being established in 1982, the hospice and its team of healthcare professionals has grown and evolved to meet the needs of the community it serves. Find out more about the charity here www.farleighhospice.org

16th May 2013
Charities

Big Yellow Swindon get on their bikes in aid of Cystic Fibrosis

The team at Big Yellow Swindon recently took on the challenge of cycling the distance from London to Paris in aid of Cystic Fibrosis…on exercise bikes! Mark, James and Gemma, along with Jon, Anthony and Justin from removal company, Robbins Removals, joined forces to cycle a staggering 212 miles between them. The feat was supported by Fit 4 Less who kindly donated two exercise bikes for the team to complete their challenge. All six participants are hugely proud of completing their bike ride in just 16 hours and 40 minutes and have raised over £800 for Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited diseases with over 9,000 people in the UK affected.

13th May 2013
Charities

Big Yellow Watford Push it for The Peace Hospice

The Big Yellow team in Watford are in strict training after entering “Push it for Peace,” a five mile obstacle course in aid of The Peace Hospice. The challenge sees participants climbing and crawling through a series of obstacles in Cassiobury Park, Watford, the muddiest course in Hertfordshire. The Peace Hospice cares for people across South West Hertfordshire living with life-limiting or terminal illnesses and provides support for their families. They offer care, outpatient and family services, therapy and a hospice-at-home service. Each year The Peace Hospice aims is to raise £3.8 million in order to run and develop their services, which is free to patients and families. With the support of Big Yellow customers the team are keen to help the charity reach their target, led by the area charity co-ordinator, Nikki. You can make a donation at the […]

12th April 2013
Charities

Big Yellow and The Southwark Tigers visit the House of Lords

Big Yellow is proud sponsor of the Southwark Tigers, the first inner city rugby club for young people in England. On the 10th April, we were lucky enough to be invited to the House of Lords, where Lord Tim Clement-Jones held a reception for some of the players, parents and sponsors, thanking them for all the work they do for the club. The founder of the Southwark Tigers, Vernon Neve-Dunn, says: “Our parents were pleased to be recognised for the work that they do for the club. And it was great for me to be able to thank your company personally.” The children also performed the ‘Tigers Haka’, a dance they want to do pre-match. For more information about the Southwark Tigers click here.