FRANCHISEFOCUS IN V ESTMENT: FROM £ 15 ,000 Easy does it


easyStorage, a new opportunity in the high-growth storage sector, is worth your consideration


the lucrative self-storage market on its head by offering a lower-cost alternative with added benefits. The potential is enormous.


A


A growing market for storage The UK storage market keeps getting bigger. According to a 2017 report by Cushman and Wakefield, it has a turnover of £750million annually. Last year, the amount of occupied self-storage jumped 8.8 per cent to 2.8million sq ft. Big brands such as Access, Big Yellow


and Shurgard dominate. They brought the self-storage concept from the US in the 1990s, establishing themselves when real estate prices were low. That was important, as self-storage is highly inefficient. As much as 48 per cent of a building is lost through access corridors and height restrictions, and usability adds to the problem.


"easyStorage brings together all the elements and support needed to build a successful business"


As real estate prices have risen, this


inefficiency has become an increasing burden, with the extra cost being passed on to the customer, pricing many out of the market. The average monthly spend for those in London is a staggering £360, and elsewhere in the UK it's £190. In contrast, the cost is just $91 (£70) in the US. Little wonder that self-storage uptake in the UK is 0.67 sq ft per capita – one-tenth of the Stateside figure. Cushman and Wakefield’s survey also discovered that 88 per cent of UK self-storage customers had expected to pay less than they were. “The market is crying out for reasonably- priced storage,” says Tim Slesinger, founder


p Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Nigel Dawson


of easyStorage. “Self-storage no longer offers value.” He went back to basics to design a simpler, and more efficient, storage model. Tim is no stranger to storage. He made his fortune through OSG, a leader in the storage for business market, he founded and later sold, which had operations in nine countries, including Russia, China and Saudi Arabia.


Lower cost and easier for customers The easyStorage model is based on large storage pods, which are transported on specially adapted vans to a customer’s home. Tim says: “The customer is delighted we come to them. They are even more delighted when they hear that transport is free. Pods are taken to easyStorage where we stack them high and deep. Put simply, we ‘containerise’ storage, which allows us to fit more into our centres. It enables us to charge up to 40 per cent less than competitors. Customers can visit us or request a return.”


Storage for all, not just the few “I believed that my business values perfectly matched those of the ‘easy’ family of brands. When I approached Sir Stelios he


new member of the ‘easy’ family of brands (which includes easyJet), easyStorage is turning


couldn’t agree more. Things moved forward very quickly after that.” Next, easyStorage opened for business


near Wembley Stadium. Through targeted digital advertising, customers started arriving, many from competitors. Within six months, a further four easyStorage centres opened in London. “People recognise the ‘easy’ branding. They trust it and associate it with good value.” Further to its increasing popularity,


easyStorage has the highest possible five-star rating on independent review website Feefo.


Franchise opportunities across the UK This year’s National Franchise Exhibition showcases easyStorage for the first time. Nigel Dawson, franchise director for easyStorage, has a wealth of franchise experience, which he gained with Dollond & Aitchison, Boots, Guinot and British Gas, where he lead the team on the Dyno brand. Nigel says: “The easyStorage franchise brings together all the elements and support needed to set up and build a successful business. There are opportunities available across the UK with a low initial investment. It is scalable, allowing investors to build up the business with impressive returns.” Franchisees are provided with specially


designed technology, marketing expertise, centralised telesales, finance advice and full training. “We’ve had plenty of interest; franchises in Liverpool and Enfield will open this autumn,” confirms Nigel. Discovery days will be held in London,


Birmingham and Manchester. Reservation is advisable and can be made via email. l


CONTACT easyStorage Storage


020 3929 8240 www.easystorage.com franchising@easystorage.com


BUSINESSFRANCHISE.COM 137


Investment level: £10k-£20k


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