SureStore investment boosts Northwich regeneration plans

Mike Wilson, left, and Andy Wood

Two Cheshire entrepreneurs have injected new life into a Northwich retail park thanks to their multi-million pound investment in self-storage.

Mike Wilson, 44, of Alderley Edge and Andy Wood, 43, of Nantwich, have chosen Northwich as their third SureStore venture.

They have recently gained planning approval to convert the former Bensons for Beds and Comet stores on Chesterway Retail Park into a managed storage facility.

Opening today (October 1), SureStore Northwich joins Bolton and Cannock in providing state-of-the-art storage facilities for both commercial and domestic use.

Mike Wilson, SureStore managing director and newly-appointed chairman of the Self Storage Association UK, said: “It is an urban myth that self-storage encourages a nation of hoarders.

“Come in, look behind the scenes, and you will see a thriving community of business owners, charity workers and families.

“They could be transitioning from running a business at home, expanding an already successful enterprise, storing overflows of charitable donations, or they could need a space to store treasured possessions while going off to university or travelling around the world.”

He added: “Our success is directly dependent on how well we help our customers to negotiate the increasing speed of change in their lives.”

The opening has created six jobs, but because half the space will be occupied by new and expanding businesses that figure is expected to rise to around 100 over next 18 months.

Paul Whittaker, SureStore director, added: “As soon as we saw the location of the redundant building in Chesterway Retail Park, we knew we could have a great opportunity to contribute to the regeneration of the town centre.

“As the only managed storage facility in the area we will be offering local people more than 35,000 sq ft of space, including offices, drive-up units and trade counters.”

SureStore has ambitious plans to open seven more facilities across the North West and Midlands over the next 18 months, thanks to an investment package from Haydock-based private equity funders Seneca Partners.

The UK self storage industry is currently worth in excess of £750m, according to the industry’s annual report.

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