Author: Colin Batt Removals

About Colin Batt Removals

We have over 40 years' experience providing removals and storage services across Kent, London and the UK. We specialise in piano removals and have moved Beethoven's piano on a European tour. Our facilities in Ashford include container storage, piano storage and document archive.

Company News

Andrew Urquhart – One of Kent’s family-owned businesses Unsung Heroes

26 September 2019 Colin Batt Removals Comment

We are extremely proud to say that Andrew Urquhart has been recognised as one of the extraordinary people that are at the heart of Kent’s family-owned Businesses. We are proud to be joining some of the County’s most exciting family businesses at Kent’s Unsung Heroes awards as we celebrate the achievements of our very own, Andrew Urquhart.

Kent’s Unsung Heroes was founded in 2018 to celebrate some of the most extraordinary employees working behind the scenes in Kent’s family-owned businesses.

The owners of family firms all over the County were given the opportunity to nominate someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty. A person who contributes to the success of the business and always gives 110% without seeking recognition.

Simon Batt, Managing Director of Colin Batt Removals nominated Andrew saying,,

“Andrew has been the General Manager of Colin Batt Removals since 2013. He has been utterly critical to the success of the family business, which has over doubled in size since he joined. Andrew is accountable for all tactical aspects of the business from every house removal and storage request to sales and compliance. In all respects Colin Batt Removals is a family business and Andrew is the beating heart of it.”

After weeks of nominations, the judges chose 12 exceptional people who they felt deserved to be recognised as Kent’s Unsung Heroes and we proud to say Andrew Urquhart was one of them. They celebrated at a very special, red carpet Awards Evening on 25th September at Squerryes Winery in Westerham.

Amalia Brightley-Gillott, Managing Director of Family Business Place who hosts the awards says

“Family-owned businesses play such a huge role in the success of Kent’s economy. Whilst the family members are often the face of the business, it’s their fabulous employees who keep the cogs turning. From the woman who has been working in the warehouse for twenty years to the guy who drives the van and the person on the front desk; it’s these dedicated individuals who deserve to be thanked and celebrated.”

Each of the 12 Unsung Heroes were joined by their family, friends and colleagues at the Awards Ceremony on 25th September. At the Ceremony they were presented with a beautiful trophy and enjoyed a wonderful evening of local food, wine and a talk from Henry Ward, 8th generation at Squerryes.

Congratulations Andrew, from everyone at Colin Batt Removals.

House removals

How to plan and organise an office move

11 September 2019 Colin Batt Removals Comment

Planning an effective office move

As businesses grow and change, it’s often necessary for them to move location, perhaps to a bigger office or to a place that is more conducive to a healthy working environment. Either way, when the time comes, there are some specifics you should bear in mind if you want a straightforward, hassle-free move. Here’s how to plan an effective office move.

Set a time frame

The time it takes for you to move office will vary depending on the size of your business. A company of less than 10 people may only need a day or two to get things sorted once they’ve completed all the paperwork; one that occupies several floors might need up to six months to get everything in order. Ensure you set a realistic time frame for the move so that you’re not rushing around at the last minute.

Consider the requirements once you have relocated

It’s easy to focus on the packing up aspect of moving, but you’ll also need to know how you want everything to look once you arrive at the new office. Ensure you have looked at the floor plans and know where desks, storage areas, seating areas etc will be. As part of this, you’ll want to check the new location and layout provide the things your current office doesn’t. Don’t, for example, devise a layout that negates the advantages of better disabled access in the new building.

Communicate

Good communication is key to a successful move. Not only will you need to communicate with your staff about moving dates, interruptions to their work and so forth, you’ll need to communicate with the team from both your current and new locations, so that no misunderstandings take place. You’ll also need to ensure that the company providing your office relocation services knows what’s expected of them, when they need to be on-site and where furniture and equipment needs to be taken once it reaches the destination.

Choose someone to oversee the move

On moving day, ensure you have people at both ends to oversee the relocation. Select and fully brief some members of staff you can trust, and who can work together to make everything go smoothly. Don’t have too many people involved though – it may lead to disputes rather than co-operation.

Don’t overlook the details

In the flurry of activity involving the removal of furniture, computers, specialist equipment and more, it can be easy to overlook the smaller items, such as plants, stationary and any artwork you may be moving. As for artwork, valuable pieces can be stored safely at a temperature controlled unit until you’re ready to put them up. At Colin Batt Removals, we offer such a service.

Choosing a removal company

When choosing commercial movers to carry out your office move, you’ll want to select a firm that is experienced in helping businesses to relocate. At Colin Batt Removals, we’ve been operating for over 40 years and can assist with your office move in Kent. Contact us today to obtain a quote.

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House removals

4 tips on choosing a removal company to move you

4 September 2019 Colin Batt Removals Comment

How to choose the right home removal company

Choosing a removal company may seem straightforward, but there are various things to consider before you commit. So if you’re looking for an office or house removal service, where should you start and how do you know you’ll get good value? Here’s our guide to choosing the right removal company.

Where to start

The internet is as good a place as any to begin. It will enable you to look up companies that are local to you and obtain their contact details for a quote. When asking for a quote, make sure the organisation knows exactly what you need. Will you require a packing service for moving house, for example, or a specialist who is insured to move valuable items or musical instruments? When it comes to it, you’ll want to pick the service that is right rather than the one that offers the cheapest price.

What to ask for

Aside from asking whether the firm can meet your requirements, you may want to ask if they hold certain quality standards. This will provide reassurance that your belongings are in the right hands. For example, as an established Kent removals firm, Colin Batt Removals holds Quality Standard BS EN 12522. We’re also a long-term member of the British Association of Removers. These extras go a long way towards providing customers with added peace of mind when they choose us.

If you’re moving a long distance, you’ll want to ensure the removal organisation you choose can accommodate this. A small firm may be less likely to have the capacity to do a cross-country or overseas relocation, so ensure you specify your destination.

Get them to visit

Ideally, getting a removal firm to visit your property before the moving date is the best course of action. This means they can see what will need doing and can provide a more accurate estimate for the time it will take to load up and transport all your items. It also means you can get a feel for the employees you’ll be entrusting your belongings to.

What your removal company will expect from you

In order for everything to go smoothly on the day, you’ll need to ensure you’re well organised beforehand. If you aren’t taking advantage of a packing or storage service, make sure everything is carefully and safely packed before the van arrives. Keep fragile items well-wrapped and cushioned with newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent breakages, and label up boxes so that you know which room they’ll need to go in once you get to the other end.

Your removal company will also expect you to confirm the move date in plenty of time and pay in full either on the day of, or the day before, the move. You can always check the firm’s payment terms when you ask for a quote.

Reliable Kent removals

If you’re looking for a removal service or storage in Kent, contact specialists Colin Batt Removals today. We’re a family-run business that’s been helping people to relocate for over 40 years and are ready to meet all your house removal needs.

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Company News

Colin Batt Removals wins family business award

13 June 2019 Colin Batt Removals Comment

Local Kent removal company, Colin Batt Removals, wins the family business award

Here at Colin Batt Removals, we’re celebrating after winning another award for our Kent removal services.

We were delighted to pick up the award for ‘best family run business’ in the latest Ashford Business Awards, held at the Ashford International Hotel. Run by Kings Hill event planners, Best Business Events, the awards cover the Ashford, Shepway and Dover districts and are judged by a panel of businesspeople from across Kent.

It’s not the first time we have been recognised at this event – our work and dedication to customer service was recognised back in 2017 when we received an award. This year, we were also shortlisted in both the customer service and small business categories.

We’re proud to be adding this latest accolade to our growing number of awards. Only last year, we received a Kent Excellence in Business award for customer service, and were one of three companies shortlisted for the British Association of Removers’ Domestic Mover of the Year award, which is open to all 430 members of the professional body.

Our owner and managing director Simon Batt said, “We’re really pleased and honoured to have won this award.

“We are proud of the service we offer and of being a family run business founded on the values of honesty, integrity, trustworthiness and care. These were the values with which my dad Colin started the business in 1978 and we have worked hard to uphold them ever since.

“Our success is down to the tireless work and dedication of the whole team, and their commitment to prioritising our customers, making moving house as stress-free as possible for them – which is why more than 99 per cent of our customers recommend us to their family and friends.”

Here at Colin Batt Removals we offer home and commercial removals and a packing and unpacking service, not just across Kent but often much further afield. We also have a strong reputation as one of the area’s leading piano removals specialists and were once employed to transport and look after Beethoven’s piano during an entire European tour, while Elton John, the Royal Collection Trust, the BBC and the Royal Festival Hall have all also been customers.

“We’ve moved pianos up spiral stairs in cathedrals, through windows using cranes and scaffolding, and to an island on a speedboat,” Mr Batt recalls. The firm has moved customers from the UK to Germany, Spain, Italy, the USA, Malaysia and Australia. It also offers storage at its secure premises in Maidstone Road, Ashford, including document archives and climate controlled storage for objects like art, antiques and musical instruments which need particular care.

Colin Batt Removals is fully insured and meets the British Standard EN 12522 for house removal services, which requires an independent audit every year. Our membership of the British Association of Removers also requires an annual inspection and a commitment to abide by the association’s code of conduct.

With Colin Batt Removals, you know your belongings are in safe, capable and careful hands. Call us on 01233 740395 to find out more about our award winning removals service and get a free quote.

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House removals

Four of the best up and coming Kent seaside towns

5 June 2019 Colin Batt Removals Comment

Best places to live on the Kent coast

Kent’s gorgeous coastline is one of the County’s greatest assets. But this isn’t just down to the beaches themselves – the beautiful coastal towns behind them offer a fascinating mix of history and culture for visitors to enjoy. Having moved thousands of people over the years all over Kent we have selected four of the best places to live on the Kent coast.

Whitstable

Popular with Londoners, Whitstable is famous for its oysters – and in particular its annual oyster festival. The prettiest part of the town is the seafront, lined with charming houses decorated with seashells, while in the harbour you can watch the fishing boats being unloaded and explore the fish market for an unbeatably fresh snack. The town also has a strong arts scene, with an arts centre, theatre and several galleries, and numerous independent shops. There are plenty of places where you can feast on shellfish or fresh fish and chips – and make sure you visit the Old Neptune on the beach itself for a pint of local ale.

Margate

Margate has risen from its run-down reputation to become a cool, quirky and arty Kentish treasure. The Turner Contemporary, named after the artist himself in honour of the inspiration afforded to him by the town’s sunsets, is an internationally acclaimed modern art gallery. At the other end of the scale, Dreamland offers amusement rides and a roller skating hall. The pretty Old Town has a good mix of vintage shops, cafes and galleries – then there’s the astonishing subterranean Shell Grotto, 21 metres of winding passages decorated with artworks made from 4.6 million shells. But of course Margate’s crowning glory is the golden sanded, Blue Flag winning beach, the perfect place to spend hours building sandcastles or enjoying the promenade, children’s rides and tidal pool.

Deal

Who has not visited Deal and fallen in love with it instantly? This unassuming yet delightful town boasts a beautiful seafront, with grand houses and pretty pastel colours, as well as two Tudor castles – Deal and Walmer – to explore. Take a stroll along the promenade into Walmer (the two towns run into one another), where the memorial bandstand on the green, dedicated to the 11 Royal Marines who died in an IRA bombing in 1989, hosts brass band concerts throughout the summer.

Folkestone

Another seaside resort that has recently undergone significant regeneration, Folkestone is a melting pot of arty trendiness and old fashioned elegance. The west end of town is a stylish expanse of grand Edwardian and Victorian villas, tree lined boulevards and splendid sea views, while the promenade to the harbour arm is home to classy restaurants and bars. The main beach is shingle, but there’s a sandy spot called Sunny Sands next to the harbour, which hosts an annual sandcastle competition.

Award-winning, family-run Kent removals company Colin Batt Removals has been helping people settle into their new homes across the county and around the world for more than 40 years. We’re specialists in piano removals and have moved some of the world’s most treasured instruments, so you know your belongings are in safe hands with us. As well as house removal services, we also offer a packing service for moving house to make the whole experience as stress-free and easy as possible. Call us on 01233 740395 to find out more and get a free quote.

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