A LEADING removal and storage company has acquired a permanent Stourbridge location, safeguarding the future of 22 jobs.

Fox Moving & Storage has used £1.5million of funding from NatWest to buy its existing site on Mill Race Lane, a prime location used by the company since the branch opened in 1980.

The funding will help the South Wales headquartered family-run business to further its growth plans in Stourbridge and safeguard the future of the 22 jobs based there.

Founded in 1971, Fox offers removal, storage and business services in the UK and internationally for consumers and businesses.

It operates from seven locations and employs 126 people nationwide and one of its specialisms is the relocation of military families in the UK and around the world.

Managing director Paul Fox said: “Stourbridge has always been an important strategic location for the business both historically and now moving forward.

"Thanks to the funding from NatWest, we have now secured Stourbridge as a permanent site, enabling us to continue to grow both nationally and internationally from this key regional base.

"We intend to invest further in developing the facility to accommodate our growing self-storage business."

Fox first switched to NatWest in 2010 to better enable plans to rebuild the company’s property portfolio by replacing lease rentals with mortgaged properties.

Since then NatWest has provided commercial mortgages for four significant locations, plus the acquisition of Easymove Removals in Bristol and the £1m extension of its group headquarters, so the company now owns all of its properties.

NatWest relationship director, Adrian Coles, said: “Fox has grown from a small business in South Wales to a nationwide business over the last five decades.

"With the funding we have provided, Paul and his team at Fox can continue to offer their excellent logistics and services, as well as ensure the company remains a key employer in the local region.”