Company Profile
Mike and Sylvia Lane started the business from scratch in January 1974 with one conventional Storage depository and one vehicle. Now the company comprises of three container warehouses holding over 2,000 containers, 3 self stores, over 40 vehicles and over 90 members of staff. Mark and Rob Lane started working for the company in 1978 and Maria (Lane) Russell joined the team 1998 after qualifying as an accountant and several years industry based practice.
The steady expansion of the business since 1974 has seen many changes. Mark Lane directed the conversion from conventional storage to containerised storage in 1987. This was quickly followed by a second container warehouse in 1989. That year also saw a significant enhancement to Lanes domestic and international business by becoming a member of Britannia Movers International. Our UK corporate and International Shipping divisions deal with thousands of removals each year within the UK and throughout the world.
In December 1992 Lanes opened their second branch in Exeter becoming the Britannia member for Devon. Under the direction of Robert and Emma Lane the business has successfully developed, now running 13 vehicles and a purpose-built container warehouse holding 600 storage containers. Britannia Lanes of Devon spearheads the European division within the company with designated European Road Trains.
1999 saw Lanes awarded the European Standard BSEN 12522 for excellence in removals. We are very proud to have been the third company in the UK to achieve this award. It couldn't have come at a better time than in our 25th anniversary in the removal business. In this year Sylvia Lane became a member of the board of directors of Britannia Movers International.
In April 2000 Lanes expanded again and became the Britannia member for Somerset. This depot is directed by Maria Lane (now Maria Russell) and her husband Angus Russell. The site now runs over 7 vehicles with a specialised steel fire safe container storage system.
2000 also saw the opening of the first of 3 self storage facilities with internal rooms and external drive-up storage units. The growth of commercial and archive storage through the self storage facilities has been unprecedented. Self storage for many people has changed the way they run their lives. There are an infinite number of reasons why someone would use Britannia Lanes self store. These include easy access, dry, secure, minimal rental period, goods lifts and all at a very cost effective price.
The storage and office complex in Cornwall was re-developed in 2003/4. This new site boasts integrated facilities, directed by Mark and Julie Lane, which is the flagship site not only for Britannia Lanes, but for the whole industry.
Our training facilities at Bridgwater are recognised by the British Association of Removers allowing us to provide training to the whole industry.
2005 saw Britannia Lanes of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset awarded the BSI Kitemark for removals service, a perfect compliment to Sylvia Lane becoming President of the British Association of Removers in 2006.
2006 was the launch date of Britannia Lanes Self Drive which really compliments our self storage facility and has been steadily expanding year on year. This was greatly enhanced by being able to book a vans on line at lanesselfdrive.com. When booking online, there is a choice of three different size vans together with discounts of up to 50%.
2010 sees the start of a new decade. Britannia Lanes is planning a new Removals, Storage, Self Storage and Van hire facility within Bristol. Truro is looking to extend it's archive storage facility and Exeter is looking for a second self storage site. 2010 also sees the launch of the Britannia Lanes third generation web site. More informative and more interactive, the site now has special features like the Removals Price Calculator and Space available for the Trade with daily updates. What's happening at Britannia Lanes is covered with a news page and, in different locations throughout the site, customers can easily ask and submit questions. We have also launched a new online booking web site for self storage at lanesselfstore.com.
In 2013 we start our confidential shredding service for business and households. Customers can purchase shredding bags online. The bags and confidential seals will either be posted or hand delivered depending on the amount ordered. If you have more than 5 bags, we'll collect it for you free-of-charge. With less than 5 bags, simply drop them off at your nearest branch. Once your documents are shredded you can print a certificate of destruction. All the shredded waste is recycled.
In the early part of 2015 Exeter purchase a second site in Marsh Barton. There was a tenant with a lease until June 2015. The design and Planning started in took all of 2015 and up until June 2016. In July the bulldozers arrived and site clearance started. The building was completed in May 2016 and moved int the new facility in June 2106. Truro also expanded its self storage with 50 new drive up units. Britannia Lanes started to offer video surveys which have proved to be very popular.
In 2017 it was decided by the board to commission a new website to bring all of the elements together in one place. The new website was launched in December 2018. It offers customers a far better experience with clear paths to get to the service required. New removal price calculators for Europe and overseas have been added. Self store and self drive sections have had a redesign. The result was a site that is visually clearer and easier to use. The same format was also transferred to the shredding service of confidential bags and consoles. Our online Service Specification and Inventory forms were revamped to match the rest of the site as was our "Ask a Question" and "Trade Loads" sections.
Britannia Lanes of Cornwall Devon and Somerset have a dedicated team to assist you in the planning and moving your personal effects from one home to another. We have a wealth of experience. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.
We hope you find our latest website informative and easy to use.
