A Co Down-based removals firm is bringing Storage Wars-type secure containers to Northern Ireland after an upsurge in demand from people needing their valuables locked up.
McGimpsey’s Removals has invested a quarter of a million pounds into the construction of a new ‘self-storage’ facility that is one of the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.
The containers - not unlike those featured in the hit US reality show Storage Wars - are located in the company’s headquarters.
The show follows professional buyers who purchase the contents based only on a five-minute inspection of what they can see from the door of the storage facility when it is opened. The local firm that specialises in removals and secure transportation of high value personal property, has constructed the new ‘self-storage’ facility with state-of-the-art security in Bangor.
Over the past five years, the firm says it has seen booming demand for its services with a 40 per cent growth in turnover to £2.5 million in 2012.
Campbell McGimpsey, one of the directors of McGimpsey’s Removals, said the upsurge in apartment living, people downsizing their homes, coupled with the recession and a downturn on removals prompted his firm to diversify into the market.
“We got the containers from the USA and had to fly in a fitter from Europe as no one had the expertise here to fit them,” he said.
“We have always gone down the traditional route in the removals market. We saw this storage market emerge and realised we had to grasp the opportunity. People can keep their possessions and come and go as they please.
“One businessman even has his stock delivered to his storage container and he then does his deliveries from there.
“Part of our strength over the years has been the way that we’ve evolved our services to match the needs and expectations of our customers. We send containers thousands of miles around the world, on a daily basis, but now we’re seeing demand for facilities for secure storage closer to home.
“This facility is one of the first of its kind in the region – we’ve taken the strategic decision that this is an area for long-term, sustainable growth and we think that our facility will offer customers real peace of mind when it comes to keeping their valuable items safe.”
The 30,000sq foot facility, which is protected and monitored by 24/7 CCTV surveillance, offers customers a secure space for long-term storage of valuable items such as household goods and personal effects right through to fine arts, antiques and important documents.
“When you’re dealing with people’s personal possessions, trust is of paramount importance. We have customers who came to us when we started 30 years ago who still use us for their removal needs now,” said Mr McGimpsey.
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