Chapter 15. How to convert an old building into a self storage warehouse? 

Part 1: The Architectural Plan

How do you convert an old building into a self storage warehouse?
The first sensible step is to ask people who already do it for a living.

I sent the existing layout drawings of Merit House to three specialist self storage builders. Two responded fairly quickly. Within three weeks, I had two sets of plans showing slightly different ways to transform the building into a self storage facility.

Their quotes were broadly similar, so I chose the company that did one simple thing better than the other:

they answered emails and returned calls promptly.

To be fair, the other builder behaved perfectly decently too — and there were some pleasant surprises along the way. Both companies sent their designers on site to carry out surveys, and both produced full plans free of charge. No call-out fee. No consultation fee.

The company I chose even sent their designer back twice, just to double-check measurements.

If nothing else, this reassured me that the self storage construction market is reasonably competitive.

The plan itself was straightforward in theory. Most internal partition walls would be removed first, leaving a largely empty shell. After that, specialist installers would divide the space into individual storage units using steel-framed, corrugated partition systems.

They also reminded me — politely, but firmly — that I would need B8 (Storage and Distribution) planning permission. Some of their clients had managed with other B-class uses, but that was very much a “don’t rely on it” comment.

So my next challenges became clear:

• Arrange the removal of internal walls
• Secure B8 planning permission

I’ve always felt a slight nervousness when dealing with government agencies. I suspect many small business owners feel the same — not because we’ve done anything wrong, but because no matter how carefully you explain your situation, the response often feels oddly detached.

Information gets repeated. Responsibility gets passed around. Memory seems optional.

Would my journey to secure B8 planning permission be any different?

I was about to find out.

Next Chapter: How to Convert an Old Building into a Self Storage Warehouse? Part 2: The Planning Permission

to follow my BSS journey — a real, unfiltered account of building an independent self storage business in the UK, one problem, mistake, and hard-won solution at a time.