Martin’s Properties has launched a new wholly-owned and funded self-storage platform.
Cactus Self Storage will acquire sites, secure planning and develop and operate new purpose-built, self-storage facilities across the South and South West of England.
The company has secured planning consent for its first operational site in Didcot on the corner of Abingdon Road and Hadden Hill. The 300-unit facility will offer drive-up, drive-in and traditional self-storage space ranging from 50 sq ft to 360+ sq ft. Other sites in the pipeline include Bristol Parkway, which was acquired in October 2025 and is currently awaiting planning.
Cactus Self Storage is seeking further one to two-acre sites in the South and South West of England to add to its portfolio, with key target locations including Bath, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Dorchester, Taunton, Aylesbury, Banbury, Trowbridge and Yeovil.
Martin’s has appointed Graham Gunn as head of operations for the new platform. Gunn has spent the past 25 years working in the self-storage sector, holding senior roles at the likes of Access Self Storage and The Self Storage Company (TSSC).
Richard Bourne, CEO of Martin’s Properties, said: “Having identified self-storage as a robust growth sector with strong fundamentals – which have been accelerated by consumer trends such as home working, upsizing or downsizing and smaller homes with less storage and garage space – we are excited to officially launch Cactus Self Storage, our dedicated self-storage business.
“Utilising our existing in-house expertise across asset management and development, alongside our new head of self- storage operations, we are able to deliver strong returns to the wider Martin’s Properties business. The industry has seen a rise in the supply of self-storage facilities, but without a unique perspective or integrated platform emerging – until now. With Cactus, we are creating an original, innovative, sustainable, high quality portfolio which will offer the market something different in this fast-growing sector.”
Gunn added: “Cactus Self Storage is an effortless, primarily drive-up, self-storage facility which provides seamless storage solutions for business and personal use. With these facilities we are making storage as easy and flexible as it should be, with technology at the forefront of the whole user experience. There is no paperwork to fill out, everything is done online and via an app making storing with us simple and stress free.”
“While being tech-led, we still believe self-storage should have a human touch – each site will be secure and safe and have a strong community focus, as well as focusing on contiguous improvements in sustainability credentials to make these facilities green… and affordable. With a strong tech-enabled focus, it helps to enhance the customer experience.”
