Martin’s Properties has today launched Cactus Self Storage – a wholly-owned and funded new self storage platform, which acquires sites, secures planning, develops and operates new purpose-built self-storage facilities across the South and South West of England.
Cactus Self Storage launches with planning already secured for its first purpose-built facility in Didcot which will be on site in April and open for business in Q1 2027. Additionally, planning has been submitted for its second site in Bristol Parkway.
With an innovative concept to deliver tech-focused, secure, sustainable, purpose-built, drive up self-storage units, Cactus will leverage the emerging fundamentals of the sector and reach a new demographic of customer to realise strong income returns and value creation as part of the wider Martin’s Properties business portfolio.
The move is part of Martin’s Properties’ strategy to diversify its business interests across four core pillars: Chelsea portfolio with active asset management activity, Regional portfolio with active asset management and development across the wider South of England, Obsidian Strategic with land promotion activity across the UK and Cactus Self Storage with development and operational self storage management across the South and South West. All of the core pillars utilise the broader expertise of the Martin’s Properties in-house team.
Richard Bourne, CEO at Martin’s Properties, comments: “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. Utilizing 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.”
Cactus's first operational site is located on the corner of Abingdon Road and Hadden Hill in Didcot. The 300-unit facility will offer drive up, drive in and traditional self-storage space ranging from 50 to 360+ sq ft. Other sites in the pipeline include Bristol Parkway, which was acquired in October 2025 and is currently awaiting planning. This site is due to be operational in 2027.
Cactus Self Storage is seeking further 1-2 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.
Graham Gunn, Head of Operations at Cactus Self Storage comments: “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.”
Following 15 years working in retail, including time with Aldi and Lidl, Graham Gunn has spent the past 25 years in the self-storage sector with senior roles at Access Self Storage and The Self Storage Company (TSSC), where Graham and the team established the business as a leading independent operator. Recently Graham worked with the Self Storage team at EQT Real Estate, before joining Martin’s Properties and Cactus Self Storage.
Visit the website for more information: https://www.cactus.storage/