Operator Membership

Operator Members of the SSA UK are required to meet the SSA UK Membership Standard which largely deals with building security, safety, access, insurance and the form of the contract used.  For information on the Membership Standard, please contact the SSA UK.

Full operator members are also required to complete a simple annual statistical return for each site when renewing their subscription.

The main benefits of operator membership are:

Marketing:

• Full members can use the Self Storage Association logo on their materials and advertising.  This logo is a mark showing that the member is recognised as meeting the necessary standard for membership.
• Details of full operator members sites and links to their website appear on the Store Locator section of this website which members of the public use to find local self storage facilities and which has been recently revamped to ensure that it is the place to go for any self storage related information.
• SSA UK is running a PR campaign designed to raise awareness of the industry as a whole in the UK.  The consequent elevation of the SSA UK profile makes membership an even better credibility tool for member companies.
• Each member receives a certificate to display at their facility.

Networking:

• Annual UK and European conferences and trade shows for which members receive preferential rates.
• Regional members meetings – these have been very well received and to date, have been free of charge.
• Access to a variety of self storage operators (around 200) from newer independent operators to the veterans of the industry who are generally happy to share their experiences with other members.

Data and Information:

• Access to supplier members and their expertise on all aspects of the construction and operation of self storage facilities.  We currently have about 50 Supplier Members who cover the full range of products necessary for operating a self storage centre from steel partitioning to lifts, doors to space management programs, access control etc.  Other supplier members include financial institutions, insurance brokers, legal, tax and rating experts and property evaluators.
• SSA UK provides operator members with the License to Store Goods with incorporated Terms and Conditions if they require it.
• Latest industry statistics are provided in the annual Mintel industry report which is the only report of its kind into the UK industry.  It covers items such as average length of stay, future growth intentions, marketing vehicles, insurance, details of facilities, current net lettable area, number of rooms, staffing levels, average billed room rate, changes in empty room rates and opening hours.  Members who provide survey information receive the report for free.  To order the Mintel Industry Report, click here.

Regulations and Legislation Guidance:

• Members can take advantage of the SSA UK’s specialist advisory groups which form to consider specific issues – i.e high level and highly experienced representatives of several member companies are currently working on an SSA UK draft fire safety guide in liaison with the London Fire Brigade, intended to advise members of the practical issues they should be looking at in the wake of changes to the law.
• The Border Agency, with whom the SSA UK has a strong relationship, provide anti smuggling advice.
• The SSA UK has useful links with the police and provides advice on anti-terrorist and anti-criminal actions.
• The SSA UK and its legal advisers have examined the issues surrounding late payers and lien procedures and SSA UK has published draft guidelines relating to them for members.
• The SSA UK has provided guidance for operators on the provision of insurance post de-regulation on 6 April 2009.

Communications:

• The SSA UK website has a members section in which regulation and legislation guidance is published along with our membership list
• Free Quarterly copy of Focus (on Self Storage) industry magazine, circulated to around 1,500 addresses in the UK and Europe (Members of ALL European self storage associations, including suppliers and other interested parties).  It is the only Self Storage magazine circulated regularly in the UK and Europe and is also available in pdf format in the members section of the SSA UK website.

Education and Training Courses:

• The SSA UK runs several training courses each year – designed specifically with self storage operators in mind.

Lobbying:

• As the industry matures, it is essential that a single body can represent it and where necessary, negotiate on its behalf if and when governmental bodies take a greater interest in self storage.

   

To apply for membership, simply click on the “Join Now” button at the top of this page, fill in your details and our team will contact you to take your application forward.