The work culture has changed dramatically over the last few years, and remote work has become a core part of that shift. What began as a temporary workaround quickly proved its value, helping many Oxford businesses stay organised, stable and productive. Now, flexible work isn’t just a backup plan – it’s part of the new rhythm of everyday professional life.
With the pace of life changing and people spending more time at home, it’s easy to feel that your living space needs a refresh. Many of us have started to rethink how we use our homes and whether a change is in order.
One inexpensive way to make everything feel new is to declutter and give your house or flat a deep clean. As always, Isis Removals is on hand to offer sound advice on revamping your home and giving it some TLC. Here are practical tips for decluttering and deep cleaning your home to create a more comfortable, organised, and healthier living space.
A city-based removals firm has shifted enough belongings for people moving to and from Oxfordshire in the last year to fill 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
ISIS Removals and Storage packed, transported and unloaded a whopping 1.3million cubic feet of boxes for customers to new homes and workplaces – the equivalent of moving 593 large boxes each day.
Items checked off by the team include pianos, aquariums, antiques and model railway sets plus more conventional belongings such as wardrobes, curtains and furniture.
According to the company’s data, the average number of boxes moved per household was 110 – although homeowners placing items into long-storage to declutter their properties often required more.
David Niven, Removals Manager at ISIS Removals, said the industry has experienced one of its busiest calendar years on record.
“Moving home is one of life’s most stressful tasks,” said David. “And one of the biggest mistakes people can make is to take on the packing, loading, unloading and reorganising responsibilities themselves.
“It’s time-consuming and approximately one in four movers who take on the job themselves will damage at least one of their possessions in the process.
“Our team are experts at what they do – if there was a world championship for real-life Tetris, they’d win it! We pride ourselves on professionalism, efficiency and responding to help customers at the last minute during their moment of crisis.”
March proved to be the busiest spring month on record for David’s team.
It was prompted by increases to stamp duty which came into effect on April 1 and will see the average UK property valued at £290,000 cost an additional £2,500 in tax for families buying a second home.
The change meant movers scrambled to finalise purchases before the deadline, meaning it was all hands on deck for the ISIS Removals team.
David added: “March was hectic, but we expected that and planned accordingly so every job was completed on time.
“We even had capacity to take some last-minute calls from movers that had either been let down or simply didn’t have the time themselves to pack up and move all their belongings.
“Both of those scenarios happen more often than people would assume. In some extreme cases, people have been let down mid-job when by law they have only 24-hours to leave their old property.
“It’s all in the planning and preparation. Even during a busy period our team are in full control and will maintain the quality of service.”
Further information about ISIS Removals and Storage is available online via www.isisremovals.co.uk.
The Cotswolds – the jewel in the crown of the British countryside, home to just over 90,000 people. And it’s right on our doorstep here in Oxfordshire!
Spanning the length of our county’s western border with Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds is world-famous for its rolling hills, cosy country pubs and picturesque honeystone cottages.
It’s no surprise therefore that a-list celebrities David and Victoria Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres and Hugh Grant have chosen to call the Cotswolds home.
An estimated 38 million tourists visit the Cotswolds each year, with many dreaming of one day moving to the area.
But moving to such remote locations can present its challenges – a typical front door of a home in the Cotswolds was not designed to accommodate moving a four-seater sofa, for example!
It makes using a trusted removals firm like ISIS Removals and Storage all the more important.
In our latest blog, we explore the very best of the Cotswolds including hidden spots within Oxfordshire’s border and locations which sit on the fringe of our county.
Chipping Norton
With just over 6,000 residents, Chipping Norton is one of the Cotswolds’ largest towns.
It’s home to two primary schools, a secondary school and preschools plus a leisure centre, outdoor swimming pool which opens during warmer months and five supermarkets.
Unlike other Cotswolds locations, Chipping Norton has everything you should need on your doorstep and is a 45-minute drive from Oxford city centre. The one void is a train station – although Charlbury operates regular 70-minute services into London Paddington.
‘Chippy’ – as it’s known by locals – has hit the headlines recently through the hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm which is filmed on location at Jeremy Clarkson’s farm in nearby Chadlington.
The Rissingtons
Made up of Great Rissington, Upper Rissington and Little Rissington and Wyck Rissington, the Rissingtons sit across the border in Gloucestershire near the picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water.
If you’re looking for the quiet country lifestyle, Wyck, Great and Little Rissington are all delightful villages and even by the Cotswolds standards are small and built on community spirit.
A car is essential here, and many properties are tucked away down tight country roads.
In exchange, residents enjoy the slower lifestyle – and you’ll rarely come across tourists unless it’s on a local trail or in The Lamb, a typical Cotswold pub in the heart of Great Rissington.
Burford
Described as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is another of the Cotswolds’ larger towns with the benefit of all the conveniences a person could wish for on their doorstep.
Its high street is perhaps the most photographed location in the Cotswolds with scores of independent shops, pubs and cafes making for a pleasant day out.
While the centre of town can get busy, particularly during weekends and the holidays, Burford’s side roads sit very much away from the hustle and bustle with a mix of semi-detached and luxury detached properties.
Take our word for it, a visit to the Cotswold Cheese Company and the Cotswolds Arms are a must!
Lechlade
Paddleboards, boats and gentle strolls in all seasons – that’s Lechlade in a nutshell.
The town sits on the banks of the River Thames and is well-known for its river-based pursuits including boating, kayaking, fishing and birdwatching.
For locals, Lechlade has a primary school, a small supermarket and independent store selling locally produced fruit, vegetables and meat. Anyone considering a move here must get to know the town better with a visit to the incredible Lakes by Yoo – a luxury 850-acre estate offering private holidays to couples and families.
A fun fact for you, The Riverside pub featured in the opening sequence of the London 2012 Olympics at the start of the legendary Opening Ceremony!
The Tews
Great and Little Tew have established themselves as magnets for those looking to up sticks and complete a dream move to the Cotswolds.
Much like the Rissingtons, you’ll find far fewer tourists here as both villages are really tucked away from the primary transport links.
The Tews have most features of a typical Cotswold village, including a local pub and farm shop. What sets the Tews apart from other locations is its proximity to Soho Farmhouse – a luxury members’ club set in 100 acres of Cotswold countryside including bedrooms, a pool, spa and gym.
Contact our team today!
If a move to the Cotswolds is on your agenda for 2025, drop our friendly team a message today and see how our professionals can facilitate a smooth, stress-free, move to your dream destination.
Phone: 01865 770227
Email: info@isisremovals.co.uk
Even considering the drastically scaled-down affair of Christmas, most of us have had too much stuff in our properties. Perhaps the rot had set in well before 25 December, and you were already struggling with a lifetime’s worth of possessions and insufficient space to keep them. Or maybe you were just at the nascent stage of becoming a hoarder, and Christmas pushed you over the edge.
Moving onto a houseboat: Since the 1960’s the vast networks of canals in the UK have been restored and become a place for leisure cruising. For some, a weekend break turns into a lifelong romance as they fall in love with the mobile life on the water. In London, there has been a 60 percent increase in boats registered to be moored in the city. Factors such as the pandemic, working from home, and rising rental costs all play a part in this watery exodus. Plus, with technological improvements with LEDs and solar panels and Wi-Fi, moving to a houseboat doesn’t mean going back in time. However, life on the waters is determined by where you are located. While London has a host of marinas, canals, and the Thames, in Oxford the main waterway through the city is the Oxford canal. For a central location, a narrowboat is the most likely vessel.
Oxfordshire has culture to rival the capital, with its world-renowned museums, libraries, and art galleries. UNESCO World Heritage sites and stately homes as well as university prestige make it an international destination for those looking for the ubiquitous English magic. Unsurprisingly this Spring there are many opportunities to sample the various expressions of inspiration in and around this impressive destination.
At some point, a business is likely to face the daunting and equally exciting task of relocation. It may be because of expansion, contraction, lease expiry, or just because of the need to change the business environment. Whatever the reason, the decision to move office always demands careful consideration and plenty of preparation.
While all relocations have the potential to cause stress, there’s nothing quite like moving to a new area with a young family. It takes all the planning skills and patience you need for other moves, but with a few additional headaches to deal with. That’s why it’s crucial to start doing any tasks you can now to get things moving forward. It’s all about making progress and having good information at hand.
There are specific additional things to factor into your preparation for people who are relocating with young children. Luckily, by choosing Oxford, you’re relocating to a city and county that prides itself on high-quality education. That’s why it’s a popular choice for families who are putting down some roots. Isis Removals is here to assist you, so here is our guide to schools and childcare in Oxford.
For one reason or another, moving can be a challenge that will push your organisational skills and patience to the limits. A few types of relocations require more perseverance, and in this instance, need extra compassion. If you’re moving with a young family, there will be some additional things to consider above and beyond other moves.