New data shows that there has been a surge in the number of people looking for self storage solutions in order to make room for home offices, home gyms and family members while the UK is in lockdown.
Data from Google Trends has revealed a 21 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for ‘self storage’ in March (up to more than 18,500 searches per month). This increase in demand has also been seen by Storage World, one of the leading suppliers of self storage units across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, with the firm reporting a 35 per cent increase in phone calls and a 20 per cent increase in overall enquiries.
Self storage providers across the country remain open as they are regarded as an essential service, with many hospitals, care homes and other essential services and businesses dependent on these providers to store supplies year-round.
Commenting on the trend, Marc Studholme, Managing Director at Manchester-based Storage World says: “We have certainly seen an increase in the number of storage enquiries since the UK-wide lockdown was announced, but we have also seen a significant shift in the type of enquiries we have been receiving. Traditionally the profile of a storage customer is pretty consistent – we usually have a 50/50 split between domestic and business enquiries. Since the lockdown, it’s more like 90/10 – with far more domestic enquiries as people look to make space in their homes.
“Although this may seem like a temporary decision for some in order to make room for the period we have all been asked to work and stay at home as much as we can, it’s my feeling this may cause how we work and live to change for the long-term.
“Maybe not today, maybe not next week, but soon, we will all be looking to create space. Space that allows us to work from home far more regularly than we ever did before, space in our businesses so people can work, visit, dine or be entertained.
“Every single business and individual has had to change to adapt to some extent in order to try and cope, and the only thing that is certain is that the long-term impact of these changes will be significant and could change the way we live and work forever.”
