Sheffield self-storage firm to stay open during coronavirus lockdown

The Big Yellow Storage Company - which operates from two sites in the city - has remained open since Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered non-essential business to close on Monday.

Company bosses argue the businesses who use their outlets - many of whom do provide essential services - need continual access in order to be able to carry on trading.

However, concerns have been raised over whether the business remaining open puts clients and staff - and their families - at unnecessary risk of catching the deadly disease.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “We need to take this seriously or we will be like Italy and we will be on 2,000 deaths nest week.

“People say it is like cold or flu but it is more serious than that. It is a global concern.”

The man said the problem was not limited to the Big Yellow Storage Company and other self-store companies in Sheffield were also staying open.

“It doesn’t matter how much hand sanitiser and handwash they have,” he added.

“People are going to continue getting it and I think it is outrageous.”

On Monday, the Government announced a complete lockdown of the UK, with only shops that provide essential services allowed to stay open.

However, a spokesperson for the Big Yellow Storage Company said storage and warehousing were not included on the list of businesses identified for immediate closure.

They said: “The Government has specifically said online retailing should continue and we have many of these online retail businesses operating from our stores.

“These businesses require our stores to remain open allowing them to continue trading. Many of these businesses sell a range of essential goods and provide important services.

“We also have some new customers who have had a sudden need for short term storage triggered by the recent lockdown.”

The spokesperson added that changes had been made to the number of people allowed in their stores’ reception areas at one time in line with Government advice on social distancing.