Self-storage businesses receive a Big Tick from trading standards

Two Highland businesses have become the first in the region to receive an award focused on building stronger working relationships between self-storage facility owners and their local trading standards service.

Highland Council trading standards service has taken part in a Scottish wide project to audit self-storage businesses and raise awareness of the Tick Box Code of Practice.

The Tick Box: Keep it Real Keep it Legal scheme helps self-storage businesses to deter criminals from using their facilities.

The scheme provides a quality assurance to storage customers that their items are in a safe and well-protected environment, as well as sending a strong message to anyone considering storing illegal products that it will not be tolerated.

Several Highland-based self-storage businesses were visited in the last five months, one of which, Jans Vans Ltd based in Portree, Isle of Skye, passed the audit with flying colours and was the first business to agree to sign up to the Tick Box Code of Practice.

Donnie Nicolson, managing director of Jans, said: “Jans are committed to fair trading and following the code of practice preventing the storage of counterfeit and other illicit goods. We look forward to working with Highland Council trading standards in the future."

The second business to pass the audit and sign up was Corpach-based Ferguson Transport Ltd.

Anecdotal evidence/intelligence has indicated that self-storage units can be a key facilitator in storing illicit goods, including counterfeit and unsafe products.

David Mackenzie, trading standards manager, said: “Self-storage facilities can be attractive to criminals who want to operate ‘below the radar’ and store illicit goods, including counterfeit goods and unsafe consumer products.

“By working together, Highland businesses and trading standards can present a united force against criminal activity and can assist each other with information sharing and support.”

For further information uk. visit: tick-box.org.