In the UK, weaker GDP growth and a subdued housing market in 2024 have contributed to softer performance in 2025 among listed operators. However, regional supply–demand imbalances continue to drive strong rental growth in certain areas, highlighting the importance of understanding local fundamentals.
The Self Storage industry gathered in Dublin for the annual Federation of European Self Storage Associations (FEDESSA) conference, where sentiment was cautiously optimistic. Despite economic headwinds, the sector has remained resilient across the UK and Europe in 2025, with rental growth of up to 7.6% in some markets and occupancy levels broadly stable across most markets.
Room for further growth?
Robust development pipelines are emerging, particularly in key capital cities, supported by solid trading conditions across most markets. At the same time, demand drivers are evolving and awareness is rising. As operators adapt to these shifts, the market’s potential broadens further. Yet, this raises key questions: how far can the sector grow and where will the best opportunities lie? Could certain markets face oversupply, or will rising consumer demand continue to sustain momentum?
Answering these questions demands reliable, granular data. However, even fundamental figures can vary: the 2025 FEDESSA survey counted 10,571 stores, compared with 9,575 in 2024, a dramatic shift that highlights how data inconsistencies can cloud the true picture of market growth.
The importance of data
Savills has mapped every Self Storage facility across Europe, with robust data for the UK and the main European markets. In the UK this includes accurate cross-referenced floor area data, providing a solid base for assessing market maturity and identifying potential gaps in provision. What makes this dataset particularly valuable is its precision. Every entry is audited and filtered to remove duplications and outdated records. This means the picture it provides is significantly more reliable than many other sources.
We’re now expanding this into Europe’s largest cities which gives us a strong base for supply-side analysis, but we go further, measuring demand fundamentals such as population density, housing dynamics, income levels and local property trends. The Savills Self Storage Score brings these elements together, offering a more meaningful way to compare markets. A location with modest supply but weak demand drivers may be less attractive than one with higher supply and stronger fundamentals. By layering catchment analysis and drive-time mapping, we can see not just where the stores are, but who they serve.
The ultimate question
Data doesn’t tell us everything, but it enables us to ask more informed questions: where will the next wave of growth come from? Will suburban regeneration zones outpace core city locations? Where shall I place my next facility, Chiswick or Croydon, Alcobendas or Atocha?
It’s clear is that Self Storage remains a dynamic, evolving sector and one that rewards those who understand the nuances of local markets as well as the broader structural trends. The opportunity isn’t just in finding the next facility, it’s in understanding why demand is moving and positioning ahead of it. And, with accurate data guiding those decisions, that advantage becomes even clearer.
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