Storage and transport is the fastest-growing broad industry group according to latest figures* from the ONS (Office for National Statistics), with the ‘golden logistics triangle’ of the Midlands retaining its strong position in these sectors.
Transport and storage is the fastest growing broad industry group, both in recent years and over the longer term, with the number of business premises used for transport, logistics and warehousing in the UK almost doubling in the last decade.
As well as the Midlands, home to the so-called ‘golden logistics triangle’, parts of the East of England and Yorkshire and The Humber that were not previously associated with the industry are gaining a strong foothold. In 2021, the number of UK business premises classified as transport and storage was 88 percent higher than in 2011 and 21 percent higher than in 2019.
The statistics are borne out on the ground, say Storage Giant Managing Director, Simon Williams, who has established two new facilities in the Midlands over the past few months – bringing Storage Giants stable of sites across the Midlands, Wales and the M4 corridor to 13.
“The rise of transport and storage has really accelerated in the last two years, following the EU exit and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. These events have both brought about shifts in the way businesses operate, due to supply cain adjustments, as well as a boom in online shopping and trading, all of which play into the growing need for secure storage and warehousing.
“As a business we are sharply focuses upon carefully managed growth into geographical areas that fit our business goals, so Kingswinford and Oldbury in the Midlands have been obvious choices for new Storage Giant facilities in recent months. The golden logistics triangle is within a four hour drive of 90 percent of the British population and it covers around 290 square miles in the West Midlands – which is around half the size of London. I think as we see the UK settle further into established patterns of trade and commerce, post EU membership and post Covid, the storage sector will continue to enjoy further expansion.”
The rise in storage and transport is particularly notable since the number of business units across all industries increased by just 1 percent over the same period. Transport and storage across the UK accounts for 5 percent of business premises (155,000 out of 3.2 million) and it is now the largest industry in parts of the Midlands, the East of England and Yorkshire and The Humber in terms of share of business units.
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