Strong demand for U.K. self-storage sector

Strong demand for self-storage space in the United Kingdom has resulted in occupancy reaching a record high and outstripping supply, according to new annual research into the sector’s major operator and customer trends from Cushman & Wakefield and The Self Storage Association U.K. (SSA UK).

“The United Kingdom is a European market leader when it comes to the usage of self-storage, yet at the same time our annual report shows there is still relatively low awareness of the concept and the brands within it from the public at large,” said Rennie Schafer, chief executive, Self Storage Association U.K. “That is changing over time and the use of self-storage is undoubtedly reflective of the way we live and work. It is there for domestic reasons such as people moving house, a death in a family or starting a new relationship. Equally, growth in online businesses is fuelling the need for storage facilities and is supporting a wave of entrepreneurs. More than a third of the