LOVESPACE

LOVESPACE: flexible storage with collection and delivery in the UK

LOVESPACE is a British company offering storage and removals across the UK based on a model of home collection and subsequent delivery to the address of the customer's choice. The company presents itself as an alternative to traditional self storage: instead of the user transporting their belongings to a facility, the company collects them from their home, stores them in secure facilities and returns them when requested.

By-the-box storage and storage unit services

The catalogue is organised around two main storage options. The first is by-the-box and suitcase storage, designed for small items; the company collects the boxes from the customer's university accommodation and returns them to any UK address. The site indicated a starting price of £3.25 per box per month. The second option is storage units with collection, intended for furniture and bulkier items, with 15 and 25 square foot units that the company notes are popular among students with more belongings; the indicated starting price was £69 per month.

Alongside storage, LOVESPACE provides a removals service covering everything from packing to transportation, both within the same city and between different locations in the country. The company also offers furniture dismantling, packing by its team and the shipping of packing materials, as well as national and international shipping services.

Customer profiles and contracting options

The company describes several common use cases: personal storage for those moving in with a partner, downsizing, renovating, going through a bereavement or separation; student storage during holidays or upon graduation; temporary storage during a move, with collection from the origin home and delivery to the destination home or any UK address; and long-term storage. Contracting is monthly and flexible, so the customer pays only for the space they use and for as long as they need it; according to the company, the longer the storage period, the greater the savings. The site also advertised a 40% discount for storage of three months or more.

Students and universities

The university segment is particularly important: the company collects from as little as a single box or suitcase at the student's own accommodation. Among the universities listed on its website are Imperial College London, King's College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester and University of Oxford.

History and structure

LOVESPACE launched in 2011 as the UK's first by-the-box storage service, according to its own presentation. It was founded by Brett Akker, the entrepreneur behind the former car-sharing company Streetcar, and by Carl August Ameln, founder of City self storage. In 2013, Steve Folwell, former group director of strategy at Guardian Media Group, joined as managing director, and the company launched its first full service. In 2021 it added storage units for bulky items, and in 2022 it expanded its storage locations with direct access in London, with plans to extend them to the rest of the country, as well as launching its removals service. The company states it has served over 150,000 customers in more than a decade of operation and operates across the UK, from Edinburgh to Brighton.

The management team comprises Will Edwards as CEO since October 2019, after two years as finance director and previous experience at Google and Bain & Company; Michael Mitchell as operations director, who joined in 2014 with prior experience at BBA Reman and the British Army; Emily Snape as growth director, with the company since 2016; and Jordan Smith as head of finance, a qualified chartered accountant with experience at EY.

How it works and customer service

Booking is done online and the customer manages their contract from the same platform. The company states that collection across the UK can take place the day after booking and that storage is insured and secured 24/7. Support is provided by phone, email and live chat. The company presents itself with an 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot.

Location and contact

5th Floor, 167-169 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PF · Phone: 0800 802 1018 · Email: info@lovespace.co.uk