The short version: A small 75 sq ft self-storage unit (Big Yellow, Safestore, Shurgard) runs roughly £280–£380/month — cheap, but it’s for storage only: no working, restricted hours, no parking for loading, no business internet. A Wow Workspaces unit starts at £650/month for 150–1,200 sq ft you can actually run a business from — 24/7 access, on-site parking, 1Gbps internet and a business address. If you only store, self-storage wins on price. If you work, ship or grow, a workspace unit is the better value.
Related guide: see also our small warehouse vs self-storage comparison for a warehouse-specific breakdown.
Thousands of London businesses start life in a self-storage unit — it’s affordable and available. The problem shows up when the business grows: you’re allowed to store your stock but not to pack it, staff can’t work there, access ends when the building closes, and there’s nowhere to park a van to load up. That’s the point where a small warehouse workspace makes more sense.
The core difference: storing vs working
Self-storage contracts are explicit — the space is for storage. You cannot trade, work or have staff based there, access is generally limited to opening hours, and there’s no dedicated internet, no business rates address, and no loading provision for regular dispatch. A workspace unit is licensed for business use: you can pack and ship orders, run a workshop, staff it, meet customers, receive pallets and work whenever you like.
Price & features compared
| Feature | Wow Workspaces West London | Self-storage (Big Yellow / Safestore / Shurgard) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical monthly price | From £650/mo (150–1,200 sq ft) | ~£280–£380/mo for a 75 sq ft unit (storage only) |
| Can you work / trade there? | Yes — licensed for business use | No — storage only |
| Access hours | 24/7 | Usually restricted to opening hours |
| On-site parking | Included | Loading bay only, time-limited |
| Business internet | 1Gbps included | None |
| Business address | Yes | Generally not permitted |
| Receive deliveries / couriers | Yes — daily courier, loading bays | Limited; sign-for restrictions |
| Logistics extras | Free van hire, loading bays, on-site photo studio | None |
| Utilities & insurance | Water & building insurance included; electricity submetered at cost | Contents insurance extra |
| Minimum term | 6-month flexible | Usually rolling weekly/monthly |
Self-storage prices are indicative London ranges for a ~75 sq ft unit and vary by branch and promotion (e.g. Big Yellow ~£280–£350/mo for a 100 sq ft unit). Check providers directly for current quotes.
Do the real-cost maths. A £300/month self-storage unit sounds cheaper than £650 — until you add a separate business internet line, pay-as-you-go van hire, and the hours you lose driving to a storage site that closes at 6pm and won’t let you pack orders on-site. For a working business, the all-inclusive unit is usually cheaper per useful hour.
When self-storage is genuinely the right call
Self-storage still wins if you truly only need to store — archive boxes, seasonal stock, furniture between moves, or overflow you access occasionally. It’s cheaper per month, flexible week to week, and available on nearly every high street. If you don’t need to work, ship regularly, or be there out of hours, there’s no reason to pay for a workspace.
When to move up to a workspace unit
Make the switch when you’re packing orders in a storage corridor, when your courier can’t get in after 6pm, when you’re paying for storage and a co-working desk, or when you need somewhere staff can actually work. If you’re in West London, Wow’s Park Royal, Acton and Ealing units are built exactly for this transition — including free van hire and an on-site photo studio for product shots.
Ready to work, not just store?
West London warehouse units from £650/month. 24/7 access, parking & 1Gbps internet. Flexible 6-month terms.
Book a viewingFrequently asked questions
Is a workspace unit cheaper than self-storage?
For pure storage, no — a 75 sq ft self-storage unit (£280–£380/mo) is cheaper than a £650 workspace unit. But you get far more usable space (150–1,200 sq ft) and the ability to actually work, ship and receive deliveries, plus internet, parking and utilities. For a working business it’s usually better value.
Can I run my e-commerce business from a Big Yellow / Safestore / Shurgard unit?
Their terms don’t permit trading or working from the unit, and access is restricted to opening hours. For a business that packs and ships, a licensed workspace unit with 24/7 access is the compliant option.
Do I get a business address with Wow Workspaces?
Yes — a workspace unit gives you a proper West London business address, which self-storage generally does not.
How big are the units?
Wow units range from about 150 sq ft up to 1,200 sq ft, so you can start small and scale up within the same site.
This comparison is published by Wow Workspaces. Big Yellow, Safestore and Shurgard are independent self-storage providers; pricing and terms are indicative and change — verify current details with each provider directly.