A removals and storage business that has been trading in North Somerset for more than a century is expanding its operations after securing £1.6m to develop a second facility.
Yeates Removals and Self Storage has been moving businesses and households in and out of Clevedon since it was established in the seaside town in 1910.
The family-run company is now bolstering its storage services by building its second premises - a purpose-built self-storage facility in Weston-super-Mare.
The 43,500 square-foot site at Weston Gateway Business Park, off junction 21 on the M5, will offer more than 340 storage units to its business and domestic customers.
Development is scheduled for completion in January 2022, while Yeates’ existing Clevedon site will remain open and continue to operate as usual.
The new facility, which will have 24-hour operations all year round when open, will also house a business suite with free to use work stations for all customers, as will provide space for removal vehicles.
Yeates managing director James Griffin is the fourth generation owner of the firm after he took over the family business from his father John in 2001.
Mr Griffin said: “Adding a second premises to our well-established removals and storage operation is another exciting chapter in our 100-year history.
“The new site will continue to improve our logistics capability and allow us to extend our portfolio into Weston – supporting business and private users with a first-class storage service.”
Mr Griffin said that the company had been planning the expansion for a number of years but the pandemic had presented “slight setbacks” to its plans.
The businessman said that securing the £1.6m loan through Lloyd’s Bank had enabled the company to get the move back into action.
Yeates was able to secure the money via an initiative with the bank that provides discounted funding to help businesses transition to operations that help to reduce carbon emissions.
Yeates' new site will include sustainability features such as solar energy panels, electric car charging points, an electric heating and cooling system, and energy efficient glass and lighting.
Rob Thompson, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank, said: “Since the pandemic, the self-storage industry has grown in stature thanks to a rise in demand for space to support house moves and help SMEs store archives or stock, allowing them to effectively utilise their office space.
“We’re incredibly proud to have helped James and the team expand their operations with the development of the new premises in Weston and I wish them every success as they prepare to open the doors in the new year.”
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