BACKGROUND AND
HISTORY:
Self Storage is defined as the direct storage by
individuals and companies of goods in their own exclusively
occupied, self-contained, secured rooms/spaces, which form the
major or primary use within a larger building or complex.
Self storage centres are user-friendly facilities, often sited
along major roads close to densely populated areas, retail parks
and light industrial estates. For the business client, self
storage is an alternative to owning or leasing expensive space.
For the individual customer self storage frees up space at home.
You can rent your own lockable secure room of practically any
size for as short or long a period as you require. You are the
only person to hold the key and you can come and go as often as
you like during normal working hours. Some companies and centres
also offer 24 hour access seven days a week. Your rights and
goods are protected via a straightforward licence agreement that
is provided by the self storage operator. You must, however,
insure your goods.
A critical feature of any self storage centre is the level and
type of security measures employed, both as regards the safety
of customers visiting facilities and of stored goods. Operators
rely on different systems to ensure that only customers have
access to their belongings; control by staff, PIN codes, swipe
card entry systems, remote alarms, closed circuit television
etc.
There are now well over 250 companies operating in the United
Kingdom. They vary from large multi-centre companies such as
Safestore, Big Yellow, Access, Lok’n Store, Personal Storage,
Shurgard, Space Maker and Storage King, who between them operate
over 250 centres, to single-centre independent enterprises.
It is estimated from the latest membership survey, that the
industry in the UK now generates revenues of about £360m and has
over 230,000 customers using the service. The average rentable
square footage per head of population in the UK is 0.42. As this
pie chart shows, the largest concentration of centres is in the
London area and the South East.
The Self Storage industry began in the United States of America
where it is now a major industry with an estimated 40,000
facilities. The industry is also maturing in Australia. It first
appeared in the United Kingdom in the early 1980s and was based
at that time solely in the London area. It is anticipated that
Self Storage will become as important a sub-sector of both the
property and service support market in the United Kingdom (and
continental Europe) as in the States as the industry matures
here.
The industry went through a step change in numbers of centres
and the standards of facilities towards the end of the last
century and has shown no signs of slowing down since. This is
because, as customer awareness has grown, often because of the
high visibility centres on major arterial roads around most of
the country’s leading cities and towns, more people and
businesses have recognised how effectively it can meet their
previously unsatisfied needs. Financial and city communities
have also come to realise its potential for significant growth
both in return but also in size.
Today the industry has spread from the south east into most
parts of the country. Many companies, particularly those with
ready-available but empty buildings such as farmers and the
removals industry, are diversifying into the industry. Third
generation facilities are being built and the product improves
with every new centre.
SOURCE:
SSAUK |
