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A guide to student storage in London

A photo showing the hallway in one of the Vanguard self storage branches.

Moving away to go to university certainly marks an exciting time in a young adult's life, however, this also comes with its own set of challenges. As a student, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the number of belongings you need to bring with you, especially if you're moving to a different city or country during term time. At Vanguard, we have over 30 years of experience in the storage industry, so we have seen thousands of students checking in and out of our branches over the years. This has allowed us to better understand students' needs and refine our self-storage offering to be more in line with your specific needs.

To help you navigate the first stages of your move to university, we have prepared this handy guide to student storage in London. We will walk you through the process of finding student storage, with valuable tips and insights to simplify your moving experience.

Our guide to student storage in London

Before diving into the student storage process, it's important you assess your storage needs. Get a better idea of what you'll need to put into your unit, from seasonal items - such as clothing and home decor - to bulky items you don't need to access on a regular basis - such as sports equipment and musical instruments. This will help you determine the size of the storage unit you require. If you're unsure as to how much space you'll need, our handy storage size guide can help you establish exactly what size unit you need, ensuring you only pay for the space you use.

Across all our branches, you will find a variety of storage units, starting from compact 10 sq ft lockers - perfect for students who only have a handful of items to store - to large storage units, suitable to fit the contents of an entire home.

At Vanguard Storage, we have eight locations across London, Bristol and Manchester. Our safe and secure great-value student storage units are monitored by CCTV 24/7 for your peace of mind, ideal for storing and protecting your belongings between term times.

20% off on student storage

London is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the country and, with six branches across the city, we are local to most of these universities. When selecting a student storage facility, it's crucial to assess its location in relation to your university or accommodation. Opting for a storage provider that offers convenient accessibility will make it easier for you to retrieve or add items to your storage unit whenever necessary. Once you have found the perfect storage location for you, start looking into the types of contracts available.

Flexibility is key, especially for students who are looking for short-term solutions, so at Vanguard Storage, we offer complete flexibility with contracts available on both short-term and long-term basis. As with all of our facilities in London and around the UK, we offer a 20% discount on self-storage for students, making it even more convenient for students to store their belongings with us. You can book your storage unit comfortably online or over the phone; just make sure to bring your student ID when moving into one of our branches to get your discount.

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High-quality packing materials

Once you have found the right self-storage unit for your needs, it's time to start packing your items. Proper packing and labelling are key to optimising your student storage experience so if you have time to, consider creating an inventory list to keep track of your stored items. Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape to protect fragile items, and clearly label each box with its contents to facilitate easy retrieval later on.

At Vanguard, we have a variety of cardboard boxes and packing materials available to buy across our branches. Our boxes are high quality, far more solid, durable, and capable of carrying more and heavier items. We know how frustrating it is when the bottom falls out of a box of your fragile, cherished items, which is why we put a lot of effort into making our own high-quality boxes. They are eco-friendly, and they can be recycled, although most customers keep them to reuse or lend them to family and friends. Find out more about our range of high-quality packing materials now. Maximise the space in your student self-storage unit by using organisation techniques, such as placing frequently needed items near the front of the unit for convenience.

And if you’re having issues transporting your belongings to a secure facility, Vanguard Self Storage have just the thing for you: our reliable man and van for hire. Our friendly staff will meet you at a time that’s convenient for you and handle your goods with the greatest care. To find out more about and benefit from our man and van services, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team today.

Choosing Vanguard for your student storage in London

Navigating the challenges of limited space as a student in London doesn't have to be overwhelming. With careful planning, you can simplify your moving process and ensure the safety of your belongings.

London boasts a plentiful number of prestigious universities, including the University of Westminster, Queen Mary University of London and Middlesex University. Vanguard’s CCTV-protected student storage facilities across the city are just a short drive away from these major universities and campuses.

Whether you need a short or long-term solution, our professional team can help tailor our services to meet your needs. So for reliable, customer-friendly and affordable student self-storage in Bristol, London and Manchester, look no further than Vanguard Self Storage. With over 55 years of experience developing our exceptional services, there’s no one better in the area.

Embrace your academic journey with peace of mind, knowing that your items are securely stored, allowing you to focus on your studies and enjoy all that this vibrant city has to offer!