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.

Office Relocation

How your business could benefit from relocating to Kent

9 October 2019 Colin Batt Removals Comment

Relocating your business to Kent

We’ve run a business in Kent for 40 years and we love it. You will too. Here are four reasons why …

Fast trains to London

The high-speed rail link has made getting to London from many Kent towns so easy that they’re now closer to central London, in terms of journey time, than some parts of the capital. Ashford is half an hour from Stratford and 38 minutes from St Pancras; Canterbury and Folkestone are both reachable in an hour; Ebbsfleet, in north Kent, is 11 minutes from Stratford and 18 minutes from St Pancras. And everywhere else along the line – Whitstable, Dover, Deal, Margate, Faversham – has benefited too. This also makes for impressively quick travel to the rest of the UK – you can get from Ashford to York within three hours.

International travel

We promise this won’t all be about trains. But Kent is really good at them. Eurostar services take one hour and 39 minutes from Ashford to Brussels, and as little as one hour and 52 minutes from Ashford to Paris; they also stop at Ebbsfleet, 15 minutes further up the line. Add in the Port of Dover, Europe’s busiest ferry port, and the Eurotunnel, which carries 21.3 million tonnes of freight and 10.6 million passengers every year, and nowhere in the UK outside London is better placed for international trade and travel.

Park life

Kent has two science parks: Discovery Park, in Sandwich, has more than 160 businesses, including drugs giant Pfizer, while Kent Science Park, just outside Sittingbourne, is home to 66 more. The latter was named south east England’s best life science research facility in 2016 by the United Kingdom Science Park Association.

Kent also has an enterprise zone – a Government-designated area that offers members benefits including tax relief and business rate relief – the latter worth up to £55,000 every year for five years. The zone covers sites across Ebbsfleet, Medway and Maidstone, and is aimed at businesses working in medical and life sciences, engineering, manufacturing and creative and digital technology.

Money, money, money

There’s a lot of funding on offer to help companies in Kent – interest-free loans for small businesses through the Kent and Medway Business Fund, investment through the Kent Life Science Fund and the Kent Investor Network, and grants from the South East Business Boost and Low Carbon Across the South East programmes. There’s also the Kent Leader grants programme for small rural businesses, including farmers, growers and foresters. Locate in Kent, which supports businesses wanting to move to the county, can provide information.

When you do the sensible thing and move to Kent, you’ll need experienced commercial movers to handle the process for you, as office relocation can be extremely disruptive. At Kent removals company Colin Batt Removals, we’ve been helping individuals and companies settle in the county for more than 40 years. Our experienced staff are trained to make things run as smoothly as possible and keep the impact on productivity to a minimum. Our office relocation services include a full packing and unpacking service if you want it, as well as document storage during the changeover.

We’re based in Ashford, but cover all of Kent, particularly Maidstone, Canterbury, Folkestone and Tonbridge. Call 01233 740395 for a free quote.

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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