The Self Storage Association of the United Kingdom (SSA-UK) announced the winners of its annual awards during a Sept. 21 dinner at the Hotel Du Vin in Birmingham, England. Apex Self Storage, Shurgard Self-Storage and Store & Secure all received top honors. The awards were presented by actor and media personality Shaun Williamson as well as sponsors, according to the SSA-UK website.
Tom Cowan, manager of the Apex facility in Glossop, England, received the “Extraordinary Achievement Award” for his dedication to property maintenance and exceptional customer service. Alistair Johnson accepted the accolade on Cowan’s behalf. The award was sponsored by Kuboid International, which specializes in the design, manufacture and construction of self-storage facilities in Europe.
Shurgard Self-Storage of Gypsy Corner in London received the “Facility of the Year Award” for large operators. The property recently added 300 units, according to its website. Duncan Bell, vice president of operations, and Jamie Taylor, district manager, accepted the award, which was sponsored by Rooks Rider Solicitors, a London-based boutique legal firm.
Store & Secure of Bournemouth, England, won the “Facility of The Year Award” for independent operators for the second time in three years. The company won the category in 2014 and was nominated in 2015 and 2016. Facility managers Lucy and Sophie Maidman, who are sisters, accepted the award, which was sponsored by PTI Security Systems, a provider of self-storage security products. Due to the high level of entries in the category, Storage Vault in Paisley, Scotland, was named the second-place winner. The company’s managing director, Anthony McAteer, was there to accept.
“This year’s awards saw a record number of entries from facilities [from] the length and breadth of the U.K.,” said SSA-UK Chief Executive Rennie Schafer. “It is a real privilege to celebrate the industry’s vision and commitment in such a high profile way. With the caliber of award winners this year, we are very hopeful of our chances in Berlin next month.”
The winners of the SSA-UK awards will now compete for additional honors to be announced during the annual meeting of the Federation of European Self Storage Associations, to be held Oct. 17-18 in Berlin.
The SSA-UK is the trade association for the self-storage industry in the United Kingdom. Its mission is to support member operators and vendors, promote best business practices, and raise public awareness.
Apex operates seven facilities in Ardwick, Cheadle, Congleton, Eastlands, Glossop, Radcliffe and Warrington, England. An eighth facility is under development in Hulme, England.
Shurgard operates more than 200 self-storage facilities in seven European markets. It’s owned by U.S. real estate investment trust Public Storage Inc.
Store & Secure opened its Bournemouth facility more than seven years ago. A second site in Basingstoke, England, was added this year.
Sources:
- Self Storage Association of the United Kingdom: FEDESSA & SSA UK Awards