Big Yellow Self Storage turns 20

This year we’re celebrating a Big (yellow) anniversary, 20 years to be exact. To celebrate this momentous milestone, we’ve compiled 20 facts you might not know about the UK’s favourite self-storage business.

From when we started, to how many stores we have now in the UK and the weird and wonderful items we look after, get to grips and swot up on your knowledge on all things Big Yellow.

1. Big Yellow Self Storage was started in 1998 making this the 20th year of the business.
2. We’ve come a long way from our first store which opened in May 1999. Any guesses where it was located?... Richmond. 
Here’s a snapshot of what it looked like then, and what it looks like now: (what a transformation)

3. We’re the UK’s favourite self-storage company, and have been featured on The Sunday Times Top 100 companies list on multiple occasions. Moving to uni? Storing items ready to move into a new home? Looking for space to start your small business? We’ve got you covered.
4. We have 97 stores nationwide. Many of our stores are located just off main roads for your convenience, but we’d like to think our (big) yellow signs are fairly easy to spot. Plus, we have a handy store finder if you do find yourself looking to locate your nearest store.

5. As well as storage, we offer business office facilities. From cricket equipment to coconut oil, we provide flexi offices for a whole range of different companies.
6. Our total size of storage is a whopping 5.7 million sq ft – that’s the same as the 90 football fields.
7. Our storage rooms range from 10 sq ft to 400 sq ft, plus we also have larger warehouse space and industrial units available to rent. Wondering what size you’ll need? We’ve handily created a size guide to help you out.
8. The title of biggest Big Yellow goes to our Fulham Store, which comes in at 139,000 sq ft in size.
9. For those wine lovers amongst you, our Fulham store features the UK’s first purpose-built self storage wine facility, with over 500 private, climate-controlled wine cellars.

10. 65% of the sq footage is occupied by customers using the space for personal storage.
11. Over a third of our customers (35% to be exact) is occupied by business customers.
12. We’ve helped over 1 million move ins.
13. Customers store with us everything from full-sized Daleks to large vinyl collections, to display boxes for Lego lovers.

14. 14 of our stores have rooftop solar panels – helping to reduce our carbon footprint. We even have instore displays showing staff and customers exactly how much power is being generated from the sun.

15. Over 70,0000 customers are currently using Big Yellow.
16. 88% of our enquiries come through our website, but if you do ever need to contact us, you can reach us on Twitter or Facebook. 
17. Average length per stay per customer is 26 months. 
18. Customers are welcome to store with us for as little as 7 days, or for as long as they want – we’re flexible.
19. It was recently announced that The Big Yellow Group was included on the FTSE4Good Index for the sixth year running, highlighting our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
20. We’re passionate about supporting charities, and just this year, we introduced The Big Yellow Foundation, our commitment to helping vulnerable people lead brighter lives. Six charities we work with include Bounce Back, Breaking Barriers, St Giles Trust, Down’s Syndrome Association, Hire a Hero and Back Up