Access Self Storage sudden change to Ts and Cs

littlerock

OH and I both have units at our local Access self storage site with 24 hour access. When you sign up they give you a code you can use to access to the site 24 hours. We use this regularly.

This evening we got emails saying they are updating their security with a new app and all existing access codes have been cancelled and 24 access withdrawn. We need to contact them to get new security codes and access is now restricted to office hours only while they upgrade the system. Our stuff is not valuable and we are not worried about theft but we do value the 24 hour access.

I am wondering if this is related to that Shurguard site in Croydon burning down WHILE UNMANNED earlier this year. SHURGUARD did not handle the press or customers well and it emerged that sprinklers are not a legal requirement for buildings under 18m High. Maybe Access is about to install them.

Anyone else got an Access self storage unit and had a similar text?

unforeseen

restricted to office hours only while they upgrade the system

So the restriction is only temporary while they upgrade. In other words the work is being done after office hours and they don't want customers getting in the way or causing safety incidents.


Seems sensible to me. What you read into it and the reasons they are upgrading depends on your level of paranoia.

littlerock

Well the cancellation of our security codes to access our units and restriction of access to the site to working hours only, came out of the blue. There has been no prior warning of this going to happen and no time scale given for how long it will take. Nor is there any reference to the restricted hours access on the local Web site which still promises 24 hour access.

In fact rereading the original email is not that reassuring as it actually says all customers access codes have been cancelled with immediate effect and customers have to re-identify themselves personally to the store to get a new one and can only have access during working hours until further notice. It actually reads as though they have had major system failure /security breach or had some sort of illegal access out of working hours.

martinthebandit

littlerock wrote: »

It actually reads as though they have had major system failure /security breach or had some sort of illegal access out of working hours.

.....or that they have reason to suspect something along those lines may have happened so they are doing something about it.

Or it could be one of the myriad other possible reasons.

Best bet is to go there (during office hours) check your stuff and have an informal chat with someone there.

neilmcl

littlerock wrote: »

Well the cancellation of our security codes to access our units and restriction of access to the site to working hours only, came out of the blue. There has been no prior warning of this going to happen and no time scale given for how long it will take. Nor is there any reference to the restricted hours access on the local Web site which still promises 24 hour access.

In fact rereading the original email is not that reassuring as it actually says all customers access codes have been cancelled with immediate effect and customers have to re-identify themselves personally to the store to get a new one and can only have access during working hours until further notice. It actually reads as though they have had major system failure /security breach or had some sort of illegal access out of working hours.

The do as they suggest and contact them. I'm sure all will be revealed then.

tonyh66

littlerock wrote: »

OH and I both have units at our local Access self storage site with 24 hour access. When you sign up they give you a code you can use to access to the site 24 hours. We use this regularly.

This evening we got emails saying they are updating their security with a new app and all existing access codes have been cancelled and 24 access withdrawn. We need to contact them to get new security codes and access is now restricted to office hours only while they upgrade the system. Our stuff is not valuable and we are not worried about theft but we do value the 24 hour access.

I am wondering if this is related to that Shurguard site in Croydon burning down WHILE UNMANNED earlier this year. SHURGUARD did not handle the press or customers well and it emerged that sprinklers are not a legal requirement for buildings under 18m High. Maybe Access is about to install them.

Anyone else got an Access self storage unit and had a similar text?

You have an obsession about the Shurguard fire, it has nothing to do with you and you weren't involved. How they handled prees and customers is irrelevant.
You may or may not get 24 hour access back, if I had stuff in storage there I would be happy if 24hr access was not possible as it is a more secure way of doing things if access is only possible when there is security onsite. If your not happy find another place.

littlerock

Actually it is not Shurgurd I am obsessed about it is the lack of sprinklers in public premises in the UK in general. Maybe my attention is focused there because I am currently living in temporary accommodation as my house is currently uninhabitable following a major fire caused by my neighbours

I read that some of the Sburguard victims lost their home contents in the fire there. Where do you store them temporarily for safe keeping. The Grenfell inquiry also making clear the woeful state of fire regulations in the UK. Not all of us are solely focused on the well being of ourselves thank goodness.