storage - head to head
Access Self Storage vs Shurgard
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Access Self Storage | Shurgard | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United Kingdom | Belgium (opened its first centre in Brussels in 1995); operates in the UK as Shurgard UK |
| UK availability | Good UK dealer coverage | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | Self storage (flexible unit sizes), Office space rental, Vehicle and van fleet parking, Document management | Personal storage, Business storage, Moving boxes, Storage consultation and sizing help |
| Best known for | Flexible-size storage units | Personal storage |
Choose Access Self Storage if...
Access Self Storage is a mid-sized UK chain concentrated in and around London, with additional sites reaching cities such as Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester. It is aimed at the same personal and small-business storage market as the larger chains, with vehicle parking as a notable extra service.
Look at: Flexible-size storage units
Full Access Self Storage profile →Choose Shurgard if...
Shurgard is a pan-European self-storage operator with a sizeable UK network, aimed at the same mix of personal and business storage customers as its listed UK rivals. Its 2024 acquisition of Lok'nStore makes it one of the larger groups by combined UK site count.
Look at: Personal storage, Business storage
Full Shurgard profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK storage companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Access Self Storage vs Shurgard - common questions
Is Access Self Storage better than Shurgard?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Access Self Storage is a mid-sized UK chain concentrated in and around London, with additional sites reaching cities such as Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester. It is aimed at the same personal and small-business storage market as the larger chains, with vehicle parking as a notable extra service. Shurgard is a pan-European self-storage operator with a sizeable UK network, aimed at the same mix of personal and business storage customers as its listed UK rivals. Its 2024 acquisition of Lok'nStore makes it one of the larger groups by combined UK site count.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Access Self Storage or Shurgard?
Access Self Storage: 56 stores across London and the wider UK, described as "over 20 years of experience," per its own website in 2026 (exact founding year not published). Shurgard: 92 self-storage facilities in the UK, per its own website in 2026. Shurgard completed its acquisition of Lok'nStore Group in August 2024, bringing that UK chain under the same parent group.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK storage companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.