Custodian Ltd, Maidstone Television Studios, Vinters Park, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5NZ
Colo-X analysis
Custodian is a good example of a high quality data centre solution in Maidstone, Kent. It is 35 miles to the south east of London Docklands, and takes advantage of a large technical facility and ample power. There is now 10,000 sq ft of technical space and a dedicated self-owned network from the site into both Telehouse and Level3 Goswell Road.
There are 400 or so cabinets at 4kW each as standard, but lots of flexibility to vary densities. Individual racks and dedicated secure caged space are available. Custodian boasts an umpressively low PUE for a retrofit building (estimated at 1.2, based on a reliable free air/adiabatic cooling methodology). Competitive pricing, solutions from colocation only. On-site technical support, offices and meeting rooms are also available.
Facility description
Maidstone Studios was built in the early 1980s to provide studio production space for the Southern TV regional TV franchise. (Basil Brush was filmed here!) It entered into the current ownership in 2003. Today it is a large multipurpose technical building of 150,000 sq ft gross. It also offers TV film studios, office space, restaurants and meeting rooms.
During a booming market for data centre services in 2009, an initial 3,300 sq ft of data centre space was provisioned. This took advantage of the large amount of space and power available on the site. This was significantly expanded between 2013 and 2015 by adding three mezzanine floors inside one of the tall film studios, which can take capacity up to 18,000 sq ft gross. This equates to approximately 10,000 sq ft of net tech or around 400 cabinets.
70% of customers are described as SMEs, but include local government, NHS and the University of London Computer Centre. Custodian offers lots of flexibility for dedicated suites or high power densities. The large grounds around the site include ample space for satellite dishes or earth station capabilities. Carriers here include Level3, SSE and Virgin.
Custodian has ISO27001 accreditation, and there are three private substations on site and twin EDF grid feeds.
Technical stats
| Size | 10,000 sq ft of net tech |
| Total customer power | 2MW |
| Percentage occupied | 40% |
| Operational since | 2009 |
| Installed clients | 300 |
| Networks available on site | 5, inc SSE, Virgin, Janet |
| Standard power | 16Amps/3.5kW cabinet |
| 24/7 on-site support | Yes |
| 24/7 access | Yes |
| Pricing | POA |
We usually supply costs and information within 60 minutes during office hours.
