Local business records storage unit

Small firms that must keep records for years but have no space: accountants, solicitors, dental and vet practices, estate agents, builders and charities.

A monthly storage fee per box or per shelf, plus charges for collection, delivery, retrieval and returning boxes.

• Organised and methodical
• Trustworthy with confidential material
• Good at building long-term client relationships

• Check the lease and planning use of the unit allow storage for other businesses
• You will handle confidential records, so check your UK GDPR duties and whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee
• Check your fire safety duties; paper is a fire risk and you may need a fire risk assessment
• Insurance for your premises, public liability and clients' stored goods; ask an insurer what cover you need
• Business rates may apply to the unit, so check with the council before signing

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the unit, racking, alarms and CCTV you choose. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many clients and boxes you store.

Check that the lease and planning use allow storage for other businesses. Also check your UK GDPR duties and whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee, plus fire safety duties, a fire risk assessment, insurance and business rates with the council.

The estimates suggest at least around 15 hours a week. Useful skills include being organised and methodical, being trustworthy with confidential material, and building long-term client relationships with local firms such as accountants and solicitors.