UK Self Storage Market Report & Price Index 2026
Data sourced from SSA UK, Janus Europe, and Stora (2026)
- UK facilities
- 5,100+
- Rentable space
- 64.3M sq ft
- Annual turnover
- £1.2B+
- Avg rate / sq ft / year
- £29.13
- Average occupancy
- 75.1%
- Independent operators
- ~70%
UK facilities
Rentable space
Annual turnover
Avg rate / sq ft / year
Average occupancy
Independent operators
The UK self storage market comprises 5,100+ facilities offering 64.3M sq ft of rentable space, with an annual turnover exceeding £1.2B+. The national average rate is £29.13 per sq ft per year, and around ~70% of the market is independent operators. The UK accounts for 32.9% of the European self storage market.
Regional Breakdown
Store count, rentable space, year-on-year growth, and average annual rate by region.
| Region | Stores | Total Space | YoY Growth | Avg Rate / sq ft / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London & South East | 1,800+ | 22.0M sq ft | +5.1% | £38–£52 |
| North of England | 378 | 13.0M sq ft | +9.2% | £18–£24 |
| Scotland & Wales | 248 | 8.3M sq ft | +8.0% | £17–£22 |
| Midlands | 195 | 6.8M sq ft | +7.4% | £20–£26 |
The North of England is the fastest-growing region at +9.2% year on year, with Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool currently undersupplied relative to demand.
Average Price by Unit Size (2026)
Indicative UK monthly costs. London prices run 30–50% above national averages.
| Unit Size | Equivalent | Weekly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 sq ft | Garden shed | from £10 | £40–£100 |
| 50 sq ft | Walk-in wardrobe | from £22 | £95–£160 |
| 100 sq ft | Single garage | from £44 | £190–£320 |
| 200 sq ft | Double garage / Luton van | from £66 | £285–£450 |
Major Operators
Safestore
138 UK stores · £234.3m (FY2025 revenue)
Big Yellow Group
111 stores · £156.3m (Q3 FY2026 revenue)
Shurgard
Acquired Lok'nStore · £378m acquisition
The three largest operators control roughly 30% of the market; the remaining ~70% is independent.
Demand Mix
- 73%Residential — moving, downsizing, divorce, inheritance
- 24–25%Commercial — fastest-growing segment; users stay 24+ months
- 39%Container-based — of all UK locations are now container-based
Sources: SSA UK, Janus Europe, and Stora (2026). For city-level pricing see our UK price guide.
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