Here at Seven Refrigeration Christmas has already begun, as we are delivering our refrigerated containers across the country to help businesses prepare for the peak season.

Success during this season is crucial for many businesses due to the increased demand from customers, which puts pressure on supply chains and usually requires additional storage for temperature-sensitive stock.

This year, with the high temperatures experienced over the Summer having placed further strain on suppliers, it’s more important than ever that the stock you receive is stored correctly to prevent waste.

Luckily, we have a vast fleet of 20ft and 40ft refrigerated containers stationed throughout the UK, so it’s not too late to secure yours.

As experts in this field, we can help you increase capacity, avoid stock waste and meet your customers’ expectations without any additional stress.

Speak to one of the team today on 01473 261780 to make sure your business thrives this Christmas

Refrigerated containers are used by a wide variety of industries, some of the most common uses are:

1. Increased capacity during peak seasons

Many supermarkets, wholesalers and independents utilise refrigerated containers during the festive period to allow them to store larger amounts of fresh and frozen products in line with increased customer demand.

2. Scaling a business

To avoid the costly and time-consuming construction times required to build permanent cold storage, small businesses use temperature-controlled containers to increase their storage rapidly. This allows them to expand their operations, meet larger customer requirements and increase their market share, whilst keeping expenses low.

3. Instore breakdown relief

Heatwaves, poor maintenance, equipment faults, power issues and overstocking can all result in the breakdown of existing cold storage. Refrigerated containers can be supplied quickly to provide temporary storage and prevent potential product loss.

4. Temporary event storage

Festivals, sports events, flower shows and wellbeing events all need to meet strict storage requirements for the food and drink they supply to attendees. As refrigerated containers can be quickly delivered and positioned where needed, they provide a cost effective solution for temporary events.

5. Hospital contingency plans

Test samples, medications and injections all require temperature-controlled storage to ensure stability. Hospitals therefore need to consider these temperature sensitive items when preparing their contingency plans. Refrigerated containers are often considered to provide temporary storage during breakdowns, power shortages and other emergencies.

6. Product temperature testing

Many products require safety testing at extreme temperatures to ensure suitability before items can be put on the market. Car manufacturers, technological companies and material manufacturers have been known to use temperature-controlled storage containers to facilitate testing in controlled settings.

7. Storage during renovations & refits

Refrigerated containers are routinely used by construction companies to provide alternative onsite storage during renovations and refits, allowing business operations to continue whilst works are carried out.

Speak to the team today on 01473 261780 to secure your refrigerated container.

Now the weather is beginning to change, many businesses are preparing for the colder months and periods of peak demand like Christmas.

Here at Seven Refrigeration, we have started delivering seasonal boxes across the UK, allowing supermarkets, wholesalers and small business owners to prepare for the Christmas rush.

Preparation is the key to success this season. With the warm temperatures over the Summer having impacted crop yields around the world, ongoing conflict overseas affecting imports and rising prices making customers hesitant to spend, having large quantities of quality goods will be essential for business success.

Our refrigerated containers can reach temperatures between -40°c to +30°c providing the ideal conditions for a range of temperature-sensitive goods from pumpkins for Halloween to brandy for your Christmas pudding. They help to preserve the integrity of your product, prolong the shelf life and ensure that you have the stock you need on hand to rapidly replenish shelves.

Available for both short-term and long-term hire, our flexible contracts mean you can expand your capacity temporarily to meet demand. Our 20ft and 40ft refrigerated containers are available with UK nationwide delivery and come with set-up and demonstrations from a Seven-trained engineer.

Speak to one our experts today on 01473 261780 to secure your temperature-controlled storage ready for the festive period.

Refrigeration keeps modern business moving. From supermarkets and food manufacturers to pharmaceutical companies and major events, thousands of operations rely on precise temperature control every single day. When that control disappears, the consequences arrive fast.

A single refrigeration failure can spoil stock, breach regulations, and damage hard-earned customer relationships within hours. The good news is that most of this disruption is avoidable with the right contingency planning.

What causes commercial refrigeration to fail?

Refrigeration systems are complex, and failure rarely comes from a single source. Understanding the common causes helps you plan for them.

Equipment breakdown: Compressors, condensers, and seals all wear over time. A worn component can fail without warning, shutting down an entire unit.

Power issues: Refrigeration units draw significant power. Outages, surges, or faulty supply can stop a system dead.

Human error: Doors left open, incorrect temperature settings and improper loading all compromise performance.

Maintenance neglect: Skipped servicing allows small faults to become major failures.

Extreme weather: Heatwaves place units under heavy strain, while severe cold and storms can disrupt power and equipment alike.

The real cost of refrigeration downtime

The impact of a failure extends far beyond a broken unit. Businesses face a chain of financial and operational consequences.

Stock loss: Perishable goods, from frozen food to temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, can be ruined in hours.

Regulatory risks: Food and pharmaceutical businesses must meet strict temperature standards. A breach can trigger fines and compliance investigations.

Lost revenue: Halted production or empty shelves directly reduce income.

Reputational damage: Failed deliveries and unavailable products erode customer trust.

Supply chain disruption: One failure can delay orders across an entire network of suppliers and clients.

Which industries are most vulnerable to refrigeration failure?

Some sectors face far higher stakes when refrigeration fails:

Food and beverage: Supermarkets, wholesalers and manufacturers depend on constant cold storage for perishable stock.

Pharmaceuticals: Vaccines, medicines and research products often require tightly controlled temperatures.

Healthcare: Hospitals and laboratories store sensitive materials that cannot be compromised.

Logistics: Distribution centres and ports rely on reliable temperature control to keep goods moving.

Events and hospitality: Festivals, sporting events and venues need dependable storage to serve large crowds at peak demand.

Why every business needs a refrigeration contingency plan

A contingency plan is not an optional extra. It is a core part of sound risk management. Businesses that plan ahead protect their inventory, maintain business continuity and avoid the panic that comes with an unexpected failure.

The principle is simple. Identify where a failure could hurt your operation, then put a backup solution in place before you need it. A clear plan means you can act within hours rather than scrambling for a solution while stock spoils.

How temporary refrigerated storage minimises disruption

Temporary refrigerated storage gives businesses a fast, reliable way to protect stock when their own equipment fails or capacity runs short. Seven Refrigeration provides temperature-controlled storage solutions nationwide, offering the flexibility businesses need in an emergency.

Key benefits include:

Rapid deployment: With a network of depots across the United Kingdom and nationwide delivery, units can reach you quickly.

Flexible capacity: Choose from 20ft and 40ft refrigerated containers to match your exact storage needs. Our 20ft refrigerated containers hold up to 8 UK pallets, while our 40ft units hold up to 18.

Temperature monitoring: All on-hire units include a bespoke telematics system at no extra cost, allowing you to track and monitor conditions remotely.

Short and long-term hire: Flexible rental terms cover everything from a brief emergency to sustained seasonal demand.

Explore the full range of refrigeration services to find the right fit for your operation.

Signs you need backup refrigeration capacity

Certain situations make backup capacity a sensible investment. Watch for these indicators:

Seasonal peaks: Winter and Christmas often push supermarkets and suppliers to full capacity.

Planned maintenance: Servicing existing units creates a temporary gap in storage.

Expansion periods: Growing demand can outpace your current equipment.

Ageing equipment: Older units carry a higher risk of failure and benefit from a reliable backup.

How Seven Refrigeration supports businesses during emergencies

With over 25 years of industry experience, Seven Refrigeration helps businesses respond quickly when refrigeration fails. Our service is built around speed, flexibility and expert support.

Nationwide delivery from a network of depots across the United Kingdom

Flexible rental terms, from short-term emergency cover to long-term contracts

Temperature-controlled containers suited to food, pharmaceuticals, logistics and events

Experienced engineering support from a dedicated team of qualified engineers

Storage solutions for multiple sectors, including supermarkets, wholesalers and major UK venues

Plan before the failure happens

Refrigeration failure is rarely convenient, but it does not have to be catastrophic. Businesses that prepare a contingency plan protect their stock, their compliance record and their reputation. The best time to review your plan is now, before an emergency forces your hand.

If you want a reliable backup ready when you need it, contact Seven Refrigeration to discuss your requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can refrigerated storage be delivered?

Seven Refrigeration delivers nationwide from a network of depots across the United Kingdom, so units can reach your site quickly in an emergency. Contact the team on 01473 261780 to discuss your timeframe and requirements.

What can I store in a temporary refrigerated container?

Temperature-controlled containers suit a wide range of goods, including frozen and chilled food, pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, flowers, beer and wine. Ambient containers are also available for dry storage.

Do refrigerated containers include temperature monitoring?

Yes. All on-hire refrigerated units from Seven Refrigeration come with a bespoke telematics system at no additional cost, allowing you to track and monitor your units remotely via the website or mobile app.

Can I hire refrigerated storage short-term for a seasonal peak?

Yes. Seven Refrigeration offers flexible rental terms covering both short-term seasonal demand and long-term storage needs, making it easy to scale capacity when you need it.

When identifying the key components that would allow your business to successfully expand and flourish, many business owners realise they need to increase their cold storage capacity.

Increased capacity gives you the space required for your additional stock, allowing you to process more customer orders. This also means you can confidently pitch your product to large-scale prospects, safe in the knowledge that you can fulfil higher quantity orders and therefore provide the level of service they require.

Whilst expanding your order capacity, the extra room also means you can establish standard operating procedures for the handling, storage and distribution of your stock. These can then be rolled out to your growing team, whether you all work in one location or across multiple sites.

Hiring refrigerated containers to scale up your cold storage means you can expand quickly, whilst keeping your overheads to a minimum. You can fluctuate the number of containers you have in line with your business requirements, instead of having to pay for large amounts of storage space all year round, when it may only be required during peak seasons.

This is beneficial to new businesses as well, as hiring a refrigerated container gives you the flexibility to cautiously expand, instead of being tied into lengthy contracts or the substantial costs and wait times which come with building on-site cold rooms.

As your business grows, so will your cold storage requirements. With over 25 years of industry experience, our experts understand the importance of getting the additional storage you need, when and where you need it.

Call 01473 261780 to speak to one of the team today.

After a Summer of heatwaves and droughts, many farmers are left facing the impact on their crop yield and winter supplies. However, this is not the only challenge our food supply chain currently faces.

This week, the Food Foundation has drawn attention to the impact extreme weather has had on many the UK’s international suppliers, with their latest report finding that 90% of the UK’s top fruit and vegetable supply partners were vulnerable to the effects of the shifting climate.

The report named Farming for 5-a-day, denotes that the UK currently imports 40% of its fruit, with imports making up 80% of our fruit supply.  This leaves us open to supply shortages and price increases, whilst also making us significantly more reliant on imported food than the rest of Europe.

This report comes just weeks after the publication of a multi-sector letter calling for the introduction of a ‘Good Food Bill’ to increase food security within the UK.

The Government’s National Security Assessment published in January, also found global ecosystems to be at a high risk of collapse due to continued degradation, unless significant action is taken. It also stated that the “UK relies on imports for a proportion of both food and fertiliser and cannot currently produce enough food to feed its population”.

This highlights the growing necessity of investing in new agricultural technologies, increasing the resiliency of our domestic food supply and supporting climate change adaptation.

Temperature-controlled storage is a key factor in strengthening the resiliency of the UK’s food supply chain. With extreme temperatures set to become the new normal for UK Summers, increased use of cold storage will be necessary to prevent food waste and extend the shelf life of perishable items, which may not be as readily available as we have become accustomed to.

Refrigerated containers have the additional bonus of mobility, rapid delivery and low expenditure when compared to traditional purpose-built cold rooms. This makes them more accessible to farmers, small businesses and wholesalers, all essential building blocks when developing a stronger supply chain.

If you are looking to proactively prepare your business ahead of next year’s Summer heat or need to increase your cold storage capacity to meet seasonal demand, speak to one of our experts today.

Call 01473 261780 or email sales@sevenrefrigeration.co.uk to get a quote.

SMEs often face tight budgets and limited storage, all whilst trying to establish themselves amongst existing industry competitors.

Hiring a refrigerated container can help entrepreneurs get their business off the ground and provide a solution for business owners looking to scale up their existing operations.

Reduce overheads

Small and medium businesses often don’t have the capital to build cold storage facilities onsite, yet need increased temperature-controlled storage capacity to gain market share, compete with larger businesses and meet customer demand.

Our refrigerated containers are available on flexible hire terms and can be delivered anywhere within the UK where there is a suitable power source.

The flexibility and mobility of refrigerated containers mean that businesses can increase their capacity quickly, whilst avoiding expensive long-term investment. They can have additional storage when needed, instead of it being a continual cost to consider, making them ideal for expansion or during periods of peak demand.

Help growth and scalability

There is often a catch-22 that many business owners face when looking to grow or upscale their business. Increased capacity means more room for stock, more stock means greater sales potential, resulting in higher profits. However, building additional internal temperature-controlled storage takes time and money, delaying opportunities for expansion and creating larger overheads.

In comparison, a refrigerated container can be delivered and setup quickly, at a more affordable price point than having an extension built or building work done. Hiring a unit also allows a business to adapt their storage capacity depending on demand and budgets, instead of being tied into a long-term investment.

Improve logistics

Working out of a small industrial unit, warehouse or office, can mean having to rely on third-party storage spaces to store your temperature-sensitive goods. Having your own storage onsite can therefore speed up your internal procedures, whilst also allowing you to distribute your goods straight from site, improving speed and efficiency.

Minimise waste

Temperature-sensitive goods require specific storage conditions to meet industry standards, preserve the quality of the goods and prevent waste.

Using temperature-controlled storage containers allows a business to meet these requirements, monitor their stock regularly onsite and extend the shelf life of goods. Reduced waste improves profit margins, whilst product quality means greater customer satisfaction, making return business more likely.

Interested in hiring a refrigerated container for your business? Speak to one of our experts today, call 01473 261780 or email sales@sevenrefrigeration.co.uk

This week the government announced a further £20 million funding to develop automated systems and farm robots to assist in the planting, tending and harvesting of crops.

The aim is to speed up the development of agricultural technology, so that it can be rolled out commercially to reduce the pressure on UK farmers. As Farming Minister Stephen Morgan stated: “This funding will help put cutting-edge robots and technology into their hands, easing that burden while boosting yield and profits.”

Earlier this year the Cold Chain Federation (CCF) highlighted “The potential for a major food crisis” due to our reliance on food, fuel and fertilizer imports from overseas.

Technological advancements could increase productivity and strengthen the resilience of the sector, which has been experiencing increased pressure following the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent delays from international suppliers.

New robots are being built to pick fruit and vegetables during harvest, replacing the need for seasonal workers which are now increasingly hard to find. Technology is even being developed to detect bovine respiratory disease early in dairy cows, which could prevent animal loss and costly veterinary bills. If this new agricultural technology can be developed and rolled out to farmers across the UK, then this should upscale Britain’s food production, resulting in less reliance on imports to feed the nation.

However, increased production is only one factor when aiming to strengthen Britain’s food system, having suitable cold storage to prolong the shelf life of the food grown will be essential.

During a period where many are already facing increasing overheads, the cost of building new cold store facilities will be the last thing many producers will want to consider. This is where refrigerated containers can provide a necessary solution.

Available on flexible hire terms, temperature-controlled storage containers can increase storage capacity, whilst keeping costs within budget. A 20ft or 40ft container can be onsite for the duration of the harvest season and then removed once completed, meaning farmers only pay for additional storage when it is in use, instead of the ongoing cost of building and maintaining on-site cold storage facilities.

The speed and mobility of refrigerated containers also means that cold storage can be scaled up rapidly in reaction to larger crop yields, preventing potential crop loss or waste.

Looking to increase your storage capacity? Call the team today on 01473 261780 or email sales@sevenrefrigeration.co.uk.

Artwork, antiques and artifacts

Due to the fragile nature of artwork, antiques and artifacts, they require cold storage with adjustable humidity settings to protect them. Exposure to moisture and heat caused by high ambient temperatures, could result in mould growth or warping, causing irreversible damage.

Galleries and museums that store vast collections often have their own specifically build temperature-controlled storage facilities to protect their assets, however there can be times during renovations, site moves or one-off exhibitions, where smaller short-term storage is required. Temperature-controlled storage containers provide a suitable alternative option for these events.

Flowers, plants and seedlings

Storing freshly cut flowers inside a refrigerated container can extend their shelf life prior to sale or display, whether that be in a florist, supermarket or flower show.

Plants thrive in specific temperatures unique to their country of origin. A temperature-controlled environment can therefore be advantageous for plant storage, as it can create the ideal setting for plants to flourish before use.

Seedlings and soil test samples collected by horticultural scientists, researchers and propagation specialists also require set temperatures for storage. Refrigerated containers can provide the environment necessary, with the additional benefit of being mobile, meaning they can also be used onsite during sample collection.

Food and drink

Whether fresh or frozen, a wide variety of food and drink requires temperature-controlled storage to preserve the taste, quality and safety of the product. Wholesalers, manufacturers, supermarkets, meal-kit providers, bakers, butchers and farmers all use refrigerated containers to increase their temperature-controlled storage capacity.

Medications, vaccines and biological samples

Tablet and capsule medications require storage at room temperature (up to 25°c) to ensure the stability and the medication prior to use. High ambient temperatures can reduce the effectiveness of some medicines, whilst increasing the potency of others, both of which could cause substantial health risks to a patient.

Vaccines, injections and specialist medications have even stricter temperature storage requirements, usually requiring storage at temperatures between 2°c and 8°c to ensure patient safety.

Biological samples are also temperature-sensitive, with poor storage resulting in spoiled or unreliable test results. This is why many hospitals, health clinics and laboratories utilise refrigerated storage containers for additional storage, as part of their emergency planning or during building maintenance and construction.

Timber and resin

Timber requires storage in a temperature-controlled environment to prevent the material from warping prior to use, whilst resin needs to be kept at set temperatures to stop the liquid from hardening.

Call 01473 261780 today to discover how we can help you get the storage you need.

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, we understand the importance of proactive preparation and contingency planning to a business’s success.

Whether this year’s heatwaves have made you more conscious of the limitations of your existing cold storage or you are thinking ahead to peak seasonal periods like Christmas, finding the right temperature-controlled storage solution for your business is vital.

Increasing business costs combined with growing customer expectations mean that preserving the quality and integrity of your stock is essential for continued growth.

If existing cold storage fails, you need a back-up plan that can be executed quickly and safely to protect your assets from becoming wastage.

During times of high customer demand, you may require additional space to store your extra stock, allowing you to stay one step ahead of customer requests.

We work with a diverse range of industries and sectors across the UK, offering nationwide delivery, flexible hire terms and an extensive engineer network, enabling us to provide full-service support.

Our bespoke 20ft and 40ft refrigerated containers can achieve temperatures from -40°c to +30°c making them suitable for storing a range of goods, helping you to provide the highest standard of service. Plus, all our units boast a range of safety features to protect your team, including a panic alarm, internal release, removable ramp, flat floor and LED lighting.

To get a quote for your business, call the team today on 01473 261780 or email sales@sevenrefrigeration.co.uk