Become a BAR Member

The British Association of Removers is the recognised trade association in the removals sector, and has remained dedicated to promoting professional excellence in the Removals Industry for over 100 years.

We set the professional standards for our industry and ensure that those standards are maintained by all our 450+ Members, thus enhancing every Member’s reputation.

Services and Benefits

BAR offer Member companies a wide range of benefits and resources specifically designed to support and develop their business in the Removals & Storage industry, through the Association itself or through its network of Affiliate partnerships. There are also annual audits and inspections which ensure that Members remain compliant with the Membership Criteria and the CTSI Code of Practice, as well as to their statutory obligations.

Benefits include:

Enhanced reputation, increased recognition and lead generation

As the association for the industry, BAR attract a lot of interest from potential customers looking for information and reassurance, and recommendation of suitable removal companies for their needs.

Via our website, we help to promote your membership by providing a search function by service type and location or name.

Accreditation and certification of service levels

BAR will inspect your business across the range of client services; estimating, operational procedures and health and safety considerations. In return, for compliance with BAR’s exacting standards, Members are certified with one of several prestigious marks that convey a powerful message to consumers; namely one of trust, quality and reliability.

Access to membership of special interest groups

BAR operate a number of special interest sub-groups within the membership that promote the interest of specialists in certain fields:

Commercial movers can apply to join the Commercial Moving Group
Overseas movers can apply to join the Overseas Moving Group
Self Storage specialists can apply to join the Self Storage Special Interest Group

Discounted training services

BAR operate a specialist division – BAR Training Services – to provide training in a range of best practice procedures and methods for the industry. While these services are open to all (and indeed, have cross-sector application), BAR Members benefit from discounts and priority access to our training programmes.

Access to affiliate services and materials at lower prices

Via its Partners, Affiliates and Subsidiaries BAR provides products and services to Members at discounted rates. These include, but are not limited to; packaging materials, fuel cards, crates, lifting equipment and IT solutions.

A lobbying voice for the sector to government

BAR is the unified voice for the industry to government, lobbying MPs, committees and local government on behalf of the interests of our Members. We have over 100 years experience of helping to shape legislation affecting the removal industry.

Support and advice

The BAR Professional Advisers Panel consists of professional industry experts that provide support and advice to Member businesses on insurance, financial and legal matters.

Networking opportunities

Network with other removals professionals at BAR’s annual conference or at regularly held regional meetings and social events.

Free marketing material

BAR provides its Members with a range of free marketing material to help promote their businesses to customers. Marketing leaflets, brochures and promotional videos are available to BAR Members for digital download via the Member Area of the BAR website.

Free monthly subscription to R&S magazine

As the official monthly publication of the British Association of Removers (BAR), R&S Magazine provides an unprecedented range of information and advice, covering issues, services and products relevant to the removals and storage industry.

Membership Types

BAR Membership

BAR Membership is open to UK businesses trading in the removal industry.

International Associates

International Associate Membership is open to non-UK businesses trading in the removal industry.

BAR Special Interest Groups

Overseas Group Membership

The BAR Overseas Group consists of over 50 expert UK removal companies who specialise in every aspect of overseas removals and relocations.

Commercial Moving Group Membership

The BAR CMG consists of independent commercial relocation companies providing professional removal services to UK organisations moving offices.

Self Storage Group Membership

The BAR SSSIG consists of BAR professional removal companies who also have secured Self Storage facilities.

Overseas Group Membership

The BAR Overseas Group consists of over 50 expert UK removal companies who specialise in every aspect of overseas removals and relocations.

Commercial Moving Group Membership

The BAR CMG consists of independent commercial relocation companies providing professional removal services to UK organisations moving offices.

Self Storage Group Membership

The BAR SSSIG consists of BAR professional removal companies who also have secured Self Storage facilities.

Testimonials from our Members

As all BAR companies have to pass the strictest of criteria to provide customer satisfaction every year, even competing firms will recommend each other to quote or carry out a move they cannot do as they are confident their competitor will deliver an excellent service.

David Strank, Stranks Removals Ltd

BAR pulls together the industry experts from the leading removal companies, both big and small, via its councils to deal with industry issues to help shape best working practices and steer its members though the many challenges the logistics and transport world faces.

Tony Tickner, Euro Group International Ltd

We value belonging to a quality-based trade association of members that are subject to an annual audit/inspection. We have always aimed to be active members since by doing so, we get the maximum benefit in terms of networking with members and accessing the vast knowledge resource that resides within the membership.

Chris Mackley, Gerson Relocation

One of the main benefits of BAR membership are the Area meetings. This gives feedback on current legislation and issues being dealt with by BAR on our behalf, allows us to bring issues forward to the councils and the Board to take up on our behalf and a chance to discuss these issues with other local members. It also allows relationships to develop that assist our company and others throughout the year.

Angus Russell, Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol

Without a doubt, the most significant benefit of membership for us are the relationships we have been able to build with other BAR members, both large and small.

Why join the BAR? Because it shows your customers that you care enough to maintain a set standard.

Mark Chudley, Chudley International

Are you Ready for BAR Membership?

To find out if your company is ready to meet the requirements of BAR membership, please complete our online pre-application checklist and a member of our Membership Services team will contact you to discuss your enquiry.

Pre-application Checklist

If you’re moving, look for the badge!