Self storage facilities first appeared in the United States in the 1960s and have since grown significantly, with the market now accounting for tens of thousands of facilities nationwide.
Self storage was introduced to the United Kingdom in the early 1980s, initially concentrated in London. Today, the sector has expanded to more than 3,100 facilities across the country, providing approximately 67.5 million square feet of rentable space.
The industry continues to grow steadily in the UK, driven by both established multi-site operators and new entrants diversifying into the sector. This sustained growth reflects strong underlying demand alongside continued investment in new developments.
There are a number of reasons why both consumers and businesses are increasingly turning to self storage. For households, demand is primarily driven by space constraints and life events such as moving home or other transitions. For businesses, self storage continues to provide flexible solutions for storing stock, equipment and archives.
Increased public awareness of the industry, supported by the visibility of modern storage facilities in prominent locations across towns and cities, has also contributed to the sector’s continued expansion.