Wigan opening heralds period of expansion for storage specialist
Storage group SureStore has opened its latest site in Wigan, and said it expects its portfolio to double over the next year.
Founded in 2015, Wilmslow-based SureStore has grown to be one of the most rapidly expanding self-storage companies in the UK.
Currently operating eight sites across the North West and the Midlands, SureStore plans to open a further 10 sites by the end of 2021.
A brand new, purpose built facility in Wigan is the latest addition to the portfolio.
Located on Brown Street in the town centre, the £4m site spans 40,000 sq ft, stands five-stories high and has 400 individual storage units available for rent.
The new facility boasts a solar panel roof, electric car charging points and advanced security systems, all standard features at every SureStore site.
As part of the technology pioneered by SureStore, customers are able to book, manage and sign for their space entirely online, an industry first and available across all facilities.
The current SureStore portfolio spans more than 300,000 sq ft, with this planned to double over the next 12 months. Currently, just over 60% of available space across all facilities has been occupied and filled over the past two years.
The next two store openings for SureStore are due complete in Spring 2021, with a new site in Old Trafford, Manchester, and one in Ashton Under-Lyne.
Co-founders Mike Wilson and Andy Wood said the Old Trafford site will be an ‘anchor’ facility for the storage group and is set to be the largest facility of its kind to date.
Andy Wood said: “We understand that 2020 has been a very challenging year for many businesses and we’ve been very fortunate that SureStore has continued to grow throughout the year.
“We’ve experienced a phenomenal amount of interest across all of our sites over the past nine months. We’re confident that our new Wigan facility has entered the market at the perfect time to support local people and businesses.”
He added: “As we scale up for growth, we are looking forward to expanding the SureStore group into further areas of the UK, as we continue to disrupt the self-storage industry, in order to better meet the needs of modern consumers and businesses.”
SureStore currently employs 30 staff across the business, with the team anticipated to expand to be more than 50 strong by late 2021.
As the business grows over the coming months, SureStore will be looking to make some key hires within the senior management team, which has commenced with appointing a new finance director.
Mike Wilson said: “As SureStore continues to grow, there is one thing that will never change and that is our belief that the people of SureStore are our most important and valuable asset.
“For me, a healthy and happy team means a healthy and happy business. The team at SureStore is the driving force behind our success and looking after their wellbeing will always be our priority.”
He added: “Since launching SureStore, our ambition has been to set a new industry standard, not only in the way we design and build facilities, but also in the way we serve customers.
“We are proud to be developing leading technologies that help better service our sites and customers, whilst also considering and managing our impact on the environment.”
The combined value of assets owned and managed by the SureStore group is currently worth £75m, with this sum set to exceed £100m next year.
As a preferred developer to a number of leading institutions, the SureStore group has recently secured a number of high-profile projects. These will be delivered in 2021 and form part of an alternative investment strategy.
