Customers 'locked out' of precious security deposit boxes after landlords repossess Sheffield premises
Worried customers want their valuables back
Users of a security deposit box service in Sheffield have demanded access to their valuables after the building where they are stored was repossessed and locked up.
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The property in Shalesmoor is used by businesses and individuals to store valuables and items of importance.
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But a sign has appeared outside stating that the landlord of the building, Whitehall Estates, has taken possession of it as of August 24.
The possession notice states: “Take notice that the landlord has exercised their right to peaceably re-enter and take possession of this premises.
“This property is now legally occupied by the landlords.
“Warning: Any attempt to break into the property will be classed as a criminal offence and will be reported to the police.”
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On Thursday (October 8), a crowd of customers with security deposit boxes securely stored at the premises arrived outside to find the doors locked after gathering in the hope of retrieving their valuables.
A company whose sign remains on the building - SYSS - told The Star the property was taken over by another firm, ‘IPM Group’, in 2022, whose sign is visible at the rear of the building.
SYSS director Chris Wooding said he has been receiving “irate phone calls all week” from people trying to contact IPM, which now operates the security deposit box service from that building.
One worried customer told The Star: “People have expensive stuff inside. They have to give us our property.
“It is really upsetting and very stressful. I found out about this situation from a friend, nobody from the company we deal with has been in touch.
“It’s been a nightmare. The people we have been dealing with for years do not give us answers and do not answer our calls.”
Another said they are worried at how safe their belongings are and are questioning why no arrangements have been made for customers to get their belongings back.
The Star understands that at the time of writing some customers have been granted access to the building to retrieve their belongings, but many possessions remain inside.
Northcote Solicitors, on behalf of Whitehall Estates, said: “Due to an ongoing legal process all customers must contact IPM Group to organise access to their boxes.
“While we have a great deal of sympathy for the customers, the landlords cannot access the boxes themselves.”
IPM Group was contacted to ask what measures it had taken to contact customers about the possession and what process there would be for clients to retrieve their valuables.
The firm did not reply by time of publication.