#London #United Kingdom #Forum Partners #Pocket Storage #Urban Self-Storage

Launch of a New Self-Storage Platform

Pocket Storage, a prominent company based in the UK, and Forum Partners, a global leader in real estate investment, have joined forces to revolutionize the self-storage industry. They are introducing a technology-driven self-storage platform specifically designed for ultra-urban areas where space is at a premium. This innovative solution addresses the challenges posed by high real estate costs, limited availability of space, and traditional operational hurdles faced by self-storage providers in densely populated cities.

The Vision Behind the Platform

Max Wilson, CEO and co-founder of Pocket Storage, articulated the rationale behind this venture. He pointed out that conventional self-storage operators often struggle to establish their facilities in urban locations due to zoning restrictions, high operating expenses, and market saturation. The new platform aims to leverage underutilized spaces such as vacant retail stores and parking garages. By transforming these spaces into fully automated self-storage facilities, the company hopes to enhance accessibility and convenience for urban dwellers.

Expansion Plans

The rollout of the platform will begin with three centrally located facilities in London, totaling 38,000 square feet of available storage space. The first facility is expected to open by the third quarter of 2025. London presents an ideal starting point for this initiative, as it houses 13.5% of the UK’s population and accounts for a staggering 25% of the country’s GDP, yet offers only 0.4 square feet of self-storage per capita—significantly below the national average. This discrepancy highlights the immense potential for growth within the urban self-storage sector.

Technology at the Core

A key component of Pocket Storage’s strategy is the integration of proprietary technology to facilitate seamless booking and access for customers. By employing a fully automated system, customers will be able to reserve units, access their belongings, and manage their storage needs efficiently from their devices. This approach not only enhances customer experience but also reduces the need for large teams typically required to operate self-storage facilities.

Co-founder Louis Arron emphasized the flexibility of their model, stating, "This is an articulate solution that brings both convenience for the consumer and economic benefits for owners of underutilized properties. We don’t need a vast footprint or significant capital—our model is adaptable and can swiftly bring storage solutions to market across varied asset types."

A Strong Team and Future Aspirations

Wilson and Arron bring extensive experience in commercial real estate to Pocket Storage, having previously scaled similar ventures. Their collaboration with Forum Partners, which has successfully deployed over $7.7 billion in real estate investments worldwide, adds a solid backing to this new initiative. Russell Platt, CEO of Forum Partners, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "The investment thesis aligns perfectly with our approach in identifying strong operational partners across different markets. We are excited to embark on this journey with Pocket Storage."

After establishing a presence in the UK, Pocket Storage has ambitious plans for scaling operations in key international urban markets, targeting cities such as New York, Paris, and Tokyo—where space constraints are similarly challenging.

Conclusion

As urban populations continue to rise, the demand for innovative storage solutions is more pivotal than ever. Pocket Storage and Forum Partners are poised to answer this demand head-on with their visionary approach, leveraging technology and strategic real estate insights to make urban self-storage more efficient and accessible. This partnership marks a significant step forward in redefining the landscape of self-storage in a rapidly urbanizing world.

About Pocket Storage: Focused on creating secure, fully automated self-storage options, Pocket Storage is dedicated to overcoming urban logistical challenges with its tech-centric approach. For more information, visit pocket.storage.

About Forum Partners: With a robust portfolio and investment strategy, Forum Partners excels in identifying opportunities in the real estate sector. Learn more at forumpartners.com.