Why Falkirk and Dundee are being considered

Falkirk and Dundee both sit within regions that serve a wide mix of residential, commercial, and light industrial users. Storage demand in these areas typically comes from households, trades, and small businesses looking for accessible storage that fits into everyday routines.

Falkirk storage demand is influenced by its position between major central belt routes, with many users requiring easy access without navigating city centre congestion. Dundee storage demand reflects a combination of residential turnover, growing small business activity, and space constraints in urban neighbourhoods.

In both locations, drive up self storage formats are often better suited to these needs than internal layouts. Vehicles can pull up directly to the unit, reducing handling time and making storage access more predictable.

Designing a site around Strongholds storage units

A Strongholds-only site is planned differently from mixed-format developments. Instead of retrofitting access routes and unit placement around an existing structure, the entire site layout is built around a consistent storage unit system.

Strongholds combine the look of a permanent building with modular flexibility. This allows planners to design circulation, visibility, and spacing in a more deliberate way, particularly on high-visibility or design-sensitive sites.

When used as the sole storage format, Strongholds storage units create a uniform appearance across the site. This can simplify planning layouts and ensure that access routes, turning circles, and sightlines are consistent from the first unit to the last.

Strongholds explained

Strongholds™ (drive up self storage units) is a range of drive up self storage units. Aerogel insulation is standard. Drive up access is standard. Strongholds is positioned as climate-stable storage.

Aerogel insulation is a high-performance insulating material originally developed for industrial and scientific applications. In simple terms, it helps reduce rapid temperature fluctuation inside the unit compared with basic metal storage formats, without relying on mechanical systems.

Strongholds is designed for high-visibility sites such as town centres, design-sensitive settings, and prominent customer-facing locations. This makes it suitable for developments where external appearance and long-term presence matter alongside practical storage use.

Strongholds is used for both household and business storage, including items such as furniture, tools, and stock.

How a Strongholds-only layout differs from mixed storage sites

Many self storage sites combine multiple formats. For example, internal units alongside external containers or lock ups. While this can work in adapted properties, it often introduces compromises in access and layout.

A Strongholds-only site avoids these issues by using a single, consistent unit type across the entire development. This has several implications:

• Access routes can be designed specifically for repeated vehicle movements
• Unit spacing remains consistent across the site
• External appearance is uniform rather than fragmented

For Falkirk storage and Dundee storage developments, this approach supports clearer site organisation and predictable access patterns for users.

Drive up access and everyday use

Drive up access is a defining feature of Strongholds storage units. Users can load and unload directly at the unit door without navigating corridors, lifts, or shared internal spaces.

This format is commonly chosen by trades and small businesses who need frequent access, as well as households who want to store larger items without repeated handling.

In locations like Falkirk and Dundee, where many users arrive by car or van, drive up self storage fits naturally into local travel behaviour. The ability to arrive, access the unit, and leave without complex navigation can influence how often storage is used and how it fits into daily routines.

Planning considerations for new self storage sites

Planning for self storage developments varies by location and site context. Local authorities typically assess factors such as access, traffic movement, visual impact, and compatibility with surrounding uses.

A Strongholds-only site presents as a purpose-built storage development rather than an improvised or temporary solution. Because Strongholds combines the look of a permanent building with modular flexibility, it can be integrated into a range of environments, including edge-of-town and mixed-use areas.

For Falkirk storage and Dundee storage sites, early-stage site exploration focuses on suitability rather than outcomes. No assumptions are made about approvals, and planning processes are handled separately for each location.

Storage demand in Falkirk and surrounding areas

Falkirk serves a wide catchment that includes residential neighbourhoods, commuter routes, and light industrial zones. Storage users in the area often require flexible access that works alongside work schedules and family commitments.

External self storage units with drive up access are commonly used for:

• Household overflow during moves or renovations
• Trade equipment and materials
• Small business stock storage

Strongholds storage units are suited to these use cases due to their external access and building-like presence.

Storage demand in Dundee and surrounding areas

Dundee combines dense urban areas with expanding residential developments and business activity. Space constraints within homes and workplaces often drive demand for external storage.

Dundee storage users frequently look for locations that allow quick access without complex internal navigation. Drive up storage units support this by reducing time spent on site and making storage visits more predictable.

A Strongholds-only site in Dundee would reflect these patterns by prioritising access, layout clarity, and consistent unit design.

Why some operators choose Strongholds-only developments

Developing a site entirely around Strongholds storage units is a strategic choice rather than a default option. It reflects a preference for:

• Consistent unit design across the site
• Predictable access and circulation
• A cohesive external appearance

Strongholds offers storage you can trust.

This model is increasingly considered where sites are developed from scratch rather than adapted from existing buildings.

Key takeaways

• Boxxs Self Storage is exploring Strongholds-only sites in both Falkirk and Dundee
• Strongholds storage units support drive up access and consistent site layouts
• Falkirk storage and Dundee storage demand often favours external, vehicle-accessible units
• Strongholds combines the look of a permanent building with modular flexibility