With a weekend of trick or treating, pumpkins and bonfires ahead, we wanted to wish you a very Happy Halloween.

Across the country, our refrigerated containers are currently being used to store a wide range of goods, including treats for Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night.

Yet the seasonal weather and temperature changes, combined with increased customer demand, can make the next few months challenging for many industries.

Stock nightmares are the last thing you want to be dealing with during peak periods, whether caused by existing cold storage breakdowns or simply not having the space you need on site.

Luckily, our expert team have the experience needed to help you get the temperature-controlled storage you require, quickly and efficiently.

Call 01473 261780 or email sales@sevenrefrigeration.co.uk to discover how our refrigerated containers could help your business thrive this season.

Tomorrow is World Mental Health day, so here at Seven Refrigeration we’ve been discussing what we plan to do this weekend to rest, recharge and support our mental health during this busy period.

As a family man through and through, our Managing Director Tony will be entertaining his grandchildren, which keeps him young at heart. He takes great pride in being a source of support and laughter for his loved ones at home, as well as the team at work.

Rod, our General Manager, will be going to watch Ipswich play football and spending quality time with his family. He finds that supporting his team and being part of the community provides a sense of connection and brings him great joy (when they win).

Kevin, our Deputy General Manager, was awarded a Civic Award this year for his enthusiasm and leadership as Chairman of Felixstowe Hockey Club and developing the Walking Hockey Club, which he’s looking forward to joining in with tomorrow.

Simon, our Technical Manager, will also be supporting the local football by watching his son play, the Woodbridge match and attending the Ipswich game. Spending quality time with his children is even more important than his love of football, so he’s looking forward to a busy weekend with them.

Donna, our Financial Accountant, will be going for a long autumnal dog walk in the countryside, doing a full deep clean of the house before the colder weather fully sets in and then filling her cup by spending time with her family.

Josh, one of our Business Development Coordinators, has a busy weekend ahead with date night tonight, before moving house over the weekend. He’s looking forward to quality time with his partner and is excited for the fresh start a new home brings.

Bekka, our other Business Development Coordinator, prioritises fitness for her mental health. She’ll be spending her weekend at the gym, decluttering her house and catching up with loved ones before cosying up with a coffee and a good book.

A thriving supportive team is a priority here at Seven, so it’s part of our culture to share our day-to-day problems, goals and aspirations with each other.

We work as a team every day to achieve the best possible outcomes for our customers and take great pride in the relationships we build with our suppliers, as well as our work.

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.

Every vehicle on the road represents a cost to your business. From the initial purchase to servicing, tax, repairs, and eventual resale, the way you acquire and manage your fleet has a direct impact on profitability. For growing businesses, that impact is even greater. Cash flow is tighter, margins matter more, and every hour a vehicle spends off the road is an hour of lost revenue.

This raises a question many fleet managers and operations directors face: is it better to own your vehicles outright, or to acquire them through contract hire? Both options have their place, but the answer depends on your priorities, your growth plans and your appetite for risk.

What is the true cost of fleet ownership?

The headline price of a commercial vehicle is only the beginning. Owning a fleet carries a range of ongoing and often unpredictable costs that can strain a growing business.

Vehicle purchase costs: Buying vehicles outright ties up significant capital that could otherwise fund growth, recruitment, or expansion.

Depreciation: Commercial vehicles lose value over time. When you own a vehicle, you carry the full risk of a lower-than-expected resale price.

Maintenance and repairs: Servicing, tyres, breakdowns and unexpected repairs all fall to you, and costs can vary widely from year to year.

Compliance responsibilities: Keeping vehicles roadworthy and DVSA compliant demands time, expertise and careful record-keeping.

Administration burden: Managing documentation, scheduling maintenance and tracking compliance events adds a constant administrative load.

For businesses focused on growth, these responsibilities pull attention and resources away from core operations.

What is contract hire and how does it work?

Contract hire is a vehicle acquisition method where you pay a fixed monthly fee to use a vehicle over an agreed term, rather than buying it outright. At Seven Asset Management, our most comprehensive option is Contract Hire Plus, a fully managed service that covers the entire process of keeping your commercial vehicles compliant and on the road.

A typical Contract Hire Plus agreement includes:

A fixed monthly cost covering your use of the vehicle over the agreed term.

All repair and maintenance included within that cost.

No capital expenditure, reducing the initial outlay on vehicles.

No residual value risk, as you simply hand the vehicle back at the end of the term.

A common misconception is that contract hire always works out more expensive than buying. In reality, once you account for depreciation, maintenance and downtime, the predictable monthly cost of contract hire often delivers better value for growing businesses. You can explore the full details on our contract hire page.

What is contract hire and how does it work?

The clearest way to weigh up your options is to compare the two side by side across the costs that matter most.

Upfront capital: Ownership demands a large initial outlay. Contract hire requires no capital expenditure, keeping more money within your business.

Monthly costs: Ownership costs fluctuate with unexpected repairs. Contract hire fixes your monthly cost, making budgeting straightforward.

Maintenance costs: With ownership, all repair and maintenance risk sits with you. With Contract Hire Plus, these are built into your fixed fee.

Residual value risk: Owners carry the risk of poor resale values. Contract hire removes this entirely.

Downtime costs: Ownership leaves you to arrange repairs and cover. Our 24/7 Vehicle Off Road (VOR) support minimises time off the road.

For a growing business, predictability is often worth more than the theoretical savings of ownership.

Why does vehicle downtime cost more than you think?
When a vehicle is off the road, the cost extends far beyond the repair bill. Downtime creates a ripple effect across your entire operation.

Lost productivity: Idle vehicles and drivers still cost money, even when no work is being done.

Missed deliveries: A single breakdown can disrupt schedules and delay customer orders.

Customer service impact: Late or missed deliveries damage relationships and can cost you future work.

This is where responsive support becomes essential. Our in-house 24/7, 365-day VOR service keeps your vehicles moving and your business running, with expert help available whenever you need it.

Why are growing businesses moving towards contract hire?

More growing businesses are choosing contract hire because it aligns with how they need to operate.

Preserving cash flow: Without a large capital outlay, you keep funds available for growth.

Scaling flexibility: Contract hire makes it easier to add vehicles as your business expands, from a single vehicle to a full fleet.

Predictable budgeting: A fixed monthly cost removes the uncertainty of unexpected repair bills.

Our contract hire solutions range from single depot operators to multi-depot nationwide fleets.

When does fleet ownership still make sense?

Contract hire is not the right answer for every business. Ownership can suit companies with specific long-term strategies or specialist requirements.

Long-term asset strategies: If you plan to keep vehicles for many years and have the capital to invest, ownership may work in your favour.

Specialist use cases: Highly specialised or bespoke vehicles are sometimes better owned than hired.

Even if you own your vehicles, you do not have to manage them alone. Our fleet management service lets you place your own assets in the hands of experts while retaining ownership.

How can fleet management reduce costs further?

Whether you hire or own, professional fleet management can cut costs and free up your team.

Compliance management: We keep your vehicles DVSA compliant and roadworthy.

Maintenance scheduling: Routine servicing and maintenance are booked and managed for you.

Documentation: All fleet documents are stored in our DVSA-approved online portal, removing the need for paper copies.

Driver support: Your drivers have direct access to our specialist in-house customer care team.

Fleet Management pricing at Seven Asset Management starts from a one-off fee of £29 for cars and trailers, £59 for vans and £99 for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes.

How does Seven Asset Management keep businesses operational?

With over 20 years of experience in commercial vehicle contract hire and fleet management, Seven Asset Management supplies and maintains all types of vehicles across a wide range of industries, from blue-chip companies to SMEs. We currently manage around 2,000 vehicles on UK roads.

Our support includes:

Comprehensive contract hire solutions, including Contract Hire Plus.

Fleet management services for vehicles you own.

A nationwide network of service centres.

Dedicated account management.

24/7, 365-day VOR support to maximise uptime.

Making the right choice for your business

There is no single answer to the contract hire versus fleet ownership debate. Ownership can suit businesses with the capital and long-term plans to justify it, while contract hire offers growing businesses the cash flow, flexibility and predictability they need to scale with confidence.

The key is to assess your own priorities. How important is preserving cash flow? How much risk can you absorb on depreciation and repairs? How costly is downtime to your operation? Answering these questions honestly will point you towards the right approach.

If you would like expert guidance tailored to your fleet, get in touch with Seven Asset Management today.

Frequently asked questions

Is contract hire cheaper than buying vehicles outright?

It depends on your circumstances. Contract hire requires no upfront capital and fixes your monthly costs, including maintenance. Once you factor in depreciation, repairs and downtime, contract hire often delivers better value for growing businesses than ownership.

What is included in Contract Hire Plus?

Contract Hire Plus is a fully managed service from Seven Asset Management. It includes a fixed monthly cost covering your use of the vehicle over the agreed term, all repair and maintenance, no capital expenditure, and no residual value risk.

Can I use fleet management if I already own my vehicles?

Yes. Our fleet management service is designed for businesses that own their vehicles but want expert support with compliance, maintenance scheduling, documentation and driver care. Pricing starts from a one-off fee of £29.

What happens if one of my vehicles breaks down?

Our in-house 24/7, 365-day Vehicle Off Road (VOR) support keeps your fleet moving. Your drivers speak directly to our specialist team, who liaise with the nearest service centre to get the vehicle back on the road quickly

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