Mark Ratcliffe can move you internationally efficiently and professionally. We even offer storage and packing options.
Mark Ratcliffe began in the removals industry back in 1982 when he opened a second hand shop with just one Luton van in Hampden Park, Eastbourne. Through the 80's and 90's, the business grew and in 1995, we specialised in overseas moving. In 1997, we joined The British Association of Removers (BAR) and from there, we became the largest independent mover in Sussex. We now employ 28 full time staff, and have a range of 11 trucks and 4 trailers. We have two warehouses in Eastbourne totalling 26,000 sqft and have 750 warehouse containers.
We offer Brighton an unrivalled Worldwide and European Removals service for all commercial or domestic clients. We are proud to work closely with worldwide agents in over 200 countries, which ensures your move goes ahead smoothly and without any hiccups. Your shipment will be tracked from your UK port of discharge, through customs, and all the way to your new location. We will be able to deliver, unwrap and set up your goods for you so you can relax and focus on other aspects of your move.
Moving abroad is becoming increasingly popular due to increasing opportunities abroad and transport being so accessible. You may choose to move abroad for many reasons - education, business or just starting a new life abroad. Whatever the reason may be - our team are more than happy to help. We are all fully qualified and insured to tackle any move abroad. We love what we do and love putting a smile on the customer's face. Our service is so exceptional due to our team prioritising customer service and the safety of your belongings. We always treat your goods as if they were our own, handling them with care and attention to detail. We are proud to have grown into a removals company with an excellent reputation for international moves - providing professional and dependable service.
Once you have enquired, we get to know your exact requirements so that we can devise a plan which suits your needs and budget. We transport your goods via road, shipment and air - whatever method may be the most effective. If you do not have the time to pack or don't feel confident packing effectively for such a long journey, we offer a superb packing service. We safely pack all of your belongings using our reliable, specialist packing tools and materials. We also can unpack your goods too at your new destination if this is something you require. If you would prefer to pack yourself, we advise you to use our high quality packing materials which can be purchased from our shop. We stock a large range of various size cartons which are double walled for extra strength, and plain paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap and 2" vinyl tape. We even offer portable wardrobe cartons to keep your clothes clean and crease free.
We can help with international commercial moves. We have all of the tools to make sure your move runs smoothly, including A3 plastic stacking crates for files, dollies and trucks to help with all office and commercial moves. Furniture dismantling and reassembling is also available. We offer storage options for all clients, household and commercial in the form of warehouse containers or storage rooms - whichever suits you. A full inventory of your goods is taken upon depositary and you are charged by the day, so you only pay for the period which your goods are stored. We work on a flexible basis and operate 7 days a week, so we are available on weekends and bank holidays should you require us.
Take a look at what our clients have said about their experience — read more customer reviews.
At Mark Ratcliffe Moving and Storage, we prioritise customer experience, and take pride in providing professional service at affordable prices. Do not hesitate to get in touch today for your free removals, storage or packing quote by filling in the form at the top of this page or giving one of our friendly team a call on 01323 848 008.
Brighton sits in the Sussex commuter belt and our work here covers the full property range. Victorian and Edwardian terraces close to the centre, 1930s and post-war semis on the inter-war estates, substantial detached homes on the larger plots, and a growing minority of new-build properties on the recent developments — the new-builds tend to have bigger inventories because the rooms are larger and people fill them.
For any move bigger than a one-bedroom flat we recommend a free in-home or video survey rather than a phone quote. It takes 30 to 45 minutes, walks every room, and produces a written, itemised quote inside two working days. The single biggest reason phone quotes mislead is the loft — almost every customer underestimates what’s in theirs by roughly double. The walk-through finds it before move day, not after.
Our daily routes out of the Lower Dicker depot put Brighton within standard half-day or full-day reach, depending on inventory size and the destination address. A typical Brighton pickup with a Sussex or Surrey delivery completes in a single day, including pad-wrapping at the load and unwrapping at the unload. The lorry leaves Lower Dicker in time to be on your driveway ten minutes before the stated load time — we don’t make customers wait around at 6am for a 7am scheduled start.
For chain-day moves out of Brighton the timings matter and we plan the schedule from the keys-release time backwards. For longer-distance UK moves — to the Midlands, the West Country, the north — we generally split the day across two crews if the inventory exceeds a single lorry. Anything heading overseas from Brighton routes through our customs-controlled holding bay at the depot, where the container is loaded after a final inventory check.
The Brighton quote process runs in five practical steps. First, a phone or web enquiry — tell us the address and the rough move date and we’ll suggest a survey slot. Second, the survey itself: either in-home (30 to 45 minutes) or over a video call. Both produce the same paperwork. Third, the written quote, emailed within 48 hours, itemised by line — pad-wrap, transport, packing materials, insurance, any specialist handling — so you can see what every cost line covers.
Fourth, the deposit and date hold: typically 20-25% on confirmation, fully protected under the British Association of Removers’ Advance Payment Guarantee. Fifth, the move itself — uniformed crew, our own lorry, no agency labour, blankets washed between jobs, and a written inventory at handover. None of this is unusual but it’s worth saying because a meaningful minority of removal firms across Sussex cut corners on at least one of those steps.
Most Brighton moves use one of three packing options. Full pack — our crews pack everything in the house the day before move day, using removal-grade cartons and tissue. Fragile-only pack — we handle the kitchen, the display cabinets, the framed art, the mirrors, the lamps, and the customer packs the easy stuff (books, clothing, linen, garage). Self-pack with materials supplied — we drop off cartons, tape, bubble and tissue, and you do it yourself with our written room-by-room guide.
Where the dates don’t line up (the sale completes a fortnight before the purchase, the chain slips, or the new property isn’t ready), we hold the load at our A22 depot in steel strong-rooms with 24-hour CCTV. Short-term storage between contracts is charged by the week; longer-term storage is invoiced monthly. For Brighton customers needing self-access self-storage, the ground floor of the depot is fitted for that — individual digital-entry doors and 24/7 access via a key fob.
After the move, we come back to collect empty cartons free of charge if you’re within standard delivery range. We also offer an unpack service for customers who prefer the new home set up by us — particularly common for older customers and white-glove relocations.
For end-of-month dates in the May–September peak, six to ten weeks ahead. Mid-week, mid-month dates can sometimes be booked two to three weeks ahead. The earlier you book, the more choice of slot and crew you’ll have.
Yes — typically 20–25% of the quoted price on booking, with the balance payable on the day of completion. All deposits are protected under the British Association of Removers’ Advance Payment Guarantee.
Crew time, our own lorry, fuel, pad-wrap (industry-grade blankets washed between jobs), basic transit insurance and labour. Packing materials, fragile-only or full packing service, and any specialist handling (piano, antiques, art, marble) are quoted separately so you see the price of each.
Yes — full British Association of Removers members and audited annually, including the BS 8564 international removal standard. Our membership number and current audit dates are on the BAR site.
Sometimes — depends on the date and the inventory size. Smaller jobs can often be slotted in within a week. Larger 3- and 4-bed moves usually need at least two weeks’ notice so we can crew correctly.
Yes — FIDI-network shipments to over 200 countries. International moves route through our customs-controlled holding bay at the A22 depot, where the container is loaded after a final inventory check. We don’t sub-contract international work to third-party brokers.