What is Self Storage?

When last year´s annual Self Storage Industry Report (based on 2023) was released by the UK´s Self Storage Association (SSA), perhaps one of the biggest surprises to emerge in the statistics was that only 43% of the UK population surveyed believe they understand what self storage is (have heard of it), and, of those, only 9% claim to know the service well.

Given that there was at least 60 million square foot of formally declared self storage space in the UK in 2023, this comes as something of a surprise to an industry already worth £1.08 billion to the UK economy each year. So....

What IS Self Storage? Learn all About it in a Nutshell

Self-storage refers to the system where a space to store possessions is rented out.

The SSA defines self-storage as a securable static space, less than 500 square feet in size, used by a person or business for storing their goods. Customers have exclusive access to the space they rent for storage and can access it freely during normal office hours without intervention.

Self-storage is increasingly a 'utility' type service: according to the SSA´s research report, until people believe that they need the service, they are unlikely to understand or be aware of it - although they also note the trend towards having storage to keep homes, especially those with home offices, tidy and clear without the need to move to a larger home.

The Wide Range of Self Storage

Containers and Warehousing

The formal self-storage market offers professionally run and managed space for storage. This is offered in various forms, usually containers or units of space in a warehouse.

The advantages of these are their stability and predictability, and the security they offer. They usually offer instant access during certain agreed hours.

The most common self-storage facility is the warehouse type option, where there is a dedicated building separated into storage rooms (‘units’) of differing sizes, usually, but not always, over several floors. In addition to whatever site security there is, the person renting the unit will normally access through a padlock or code. Loading bays are rarely directly beside the unit, although most facilities offer the equipment for moving (like trolleys) and lifts.

Containers are shipping/shipping-type containers that tend to be stand alone units, with similar access arrangements to warehousing type self storage facilities. In some cases the containers are actually found inside a warehouse. But more usually they are ´drive up´, placed outside, accessible individually by their renters. They are waterproof and protect against weather conditions and come in a variety of sizes.

(Pink Storage offers  'drive up' container storage across Wales and the Southwest of England. The majority of our units are 160 square feet, roughly large enough to store the contents of a three bedroom house.)

'Drive up' Self Storage

Increasingly, external, drive-up style self-storage is available - built outdoor units with the same climate control and security as indoor warehouse storage or container storage.

The distinction is simply where the units are:  they offer the same ´drive up´ advantages as container storage.

Container storage is naturally 'drive up' in order to access, so the term is a little contrived - the important thing is to know that not all self storage premises are indoors and accessed via corridors and lifts.

'Drop down' Self Storage

Drop down storage is storage containers that are left ´on site´ by the supplier for the customer to manage. The big advantage is the proximity of the storage. The disadvantages include that the customer has to manage it themselves, the minor inconvenience of the pick-up and drop-off logistics.

Of course, the customer must also have the space in which to put the unit, access to that space, and live with the aesthetics of it – fine on a building site, but more difficult in a small garden.

Other Kinds of 'Self-Storage Like' Storage

The SSA does not include these ´units´ within its definition of Self-Storage, although they are options available to consumers and businesses alike.

The Informal Self-Storage Market

The informal market tends to be 'peer to peer' storage : someone with a garage, loft or spare room loans it to another person or organisation, usually for cash.

The advantages of this include price. Individuals don´t usually have to charge VAT, and the space tends to be space they weren´t using anyway.

It´s just about the only one (advantage, that is).

The disadvantages can include security, easy access by unauthorised people, whilst you may not be able to access your storage freely, and in many cases – like garages – the risk of damage to goods from vermin and/or damp mould

You will be putting your possessions in a space that may have no insurance and no peace of mind regarding security. If you can afford it, use space that´s  going to give you security features, access to your unit and all the other benefits of self storage.

Removals Storage

Removals storage is a short term solution, where movers (usually home movers) leave their customers belongings in secure storage until the property they are moving into is ready for their belongings. It is usually a short term solution, cost effective for the customer, but rarely allows the customer access to their belongings.

Mobile Storage

Mobile self storage works on a slightly different model to traditional self storage: the supplier brings the storage unit for loading to the place where the belongings are currently held. Once loaded, the supplier takes the unit away and stores it.

The advantages include not having to deliver things to the storage unit, saving the cost and hassle of moving things in. On paper the costs are considerably lower, partly because the costs of van hire etc are avoided. The storage units are usually stacked, meaning better use of space and allowing the operator to drop prices. The disadvantage is that deliveries and collections will often need paying for, and access may be limited and need booking in advance.

(Pink Storage now also offers a mobile storage option.)

Warehousing

Warehousing refers to an individual renting or buying a warehouse for their own, exclusive use, or shared with a known partner or partners, for storing goods to be sold or distributed later.

The scale and purpose of warehousing mean that it too doesn´t count as 'self storage' under the SSA definition.

The disadvantage of a warehousing solution is that the owner will have to administer the building and the costs are not shared in the way that self storage is.

The advantage, of course, is flexibility of use, access and layout, which is particularly appealing to organisations with a large, ongoing, centralised need.

Choosing Self Storage

As we´ve seen, there are plenty of options to choose from - self storage is a service that's there when you need it and offers you a wide choice.

Our handy guide to considerations when choosing a self-storage unit includes:

• finding a service or space that allows you to store your possessions safely - you have a choice so pick what´s right for you;
• affordable rental prices - check what prices will be at the end of any offer period;
• what do you want it for: extra space, moving house, keeping your home decluttered, to store furniture, a renovation? This will help you decide how close you need the space to be and how large you need it to be (unit size);
• And once you´ve decided what you want it for, is this seasonal? Is it just to see you through a tough period after a fire, flood or evacuation? Is it to declutter whilst selling or moving home, or a space following divorce or separation? Pick the size and contract that best meets your storage needs.
• is the storage company a member of/affiliated to the SSA (self Storage Association)? There are some good companies that choose not to be, of course, but at least there is a commitment to certain levels of professionalism if they are;
• security: as a minimum we would expect CCTV, but you are paying to keep things safe and secure so they have a value to you. Pink Storage also has number plate recognition and code locks on each self storage unit;
• customer service: can you sign up easily? Is the term flexible?
• can you unload door to door (drive up access) or are you happy with lifts and corridors to access?
• can the supplier arrange collection for you?
• opening hours: will the supplier's storage facilities be open at convenient times for you to access?

Please note that this advice is specific to self storage in the UK. In other countries, the available services and storage experience may be very different.

About Pink Storage

When you need to store your possessions, Pink Storage offers container storage and mobile storage at locations in Wales and the North West of England.

This means:

• Convenient access to your unit, right to the door of your superbly clean unit, which is designed to weather far worse conditions that we could ever expect to experience.
• Rent on a flexible basis and access your unit from 6 am to 11pm daily.
• State of the art security keeps your belongings safe 24/7 which allows you to keep everything safe, worry free.

Whatever you need extra storage space for, fuss free booking online can be done in less than less than a minute. Alternatively contact us and speak to our friendly team, who will always do their best to help