The best self storage in Leicester depends on four things: price, access hours, security and how easy it is to load and unload. Four named facilities serve the city: Smartbox Self Storage on Putney Road, Shurgard on Freemens Common Road, Storage Giant on Sanvey Gate and Safestore on Abbey Lane. This guide compares them side by side so you can see where each one fits.
What makes a self storage facility "the best" in Leicester?
There's no single winner in every category. The right choice depends on what matters most for your move, renovation or business. Five factors decide it in practice:
- Price, both the advertised rate and what you'll pay once any introductory offer ends
- Access hours, since only one facility in this comparison offers round-the-clock entry
- Security, including CCTV, alarms and how each unit is locked
- Loading and location, including parking, loading bays and how easy the site is to reach from where you live or work
- Contract terms, such as minimum stays, deposits and when payment starts
The sections below set out how Smartbox, Shurgard, Storage Giant and Safestore compare on each.
What does Smartbox Self Storage Leicester offer?
Smartbox is the only facility in this comparison with 24/7 access, so you can get to your unit at any hour, every day of the year. The site at 11 Putney Road (LE2 7TF) opened in August 2025 and has 226 clean, dry units from 10 sq ft to 200 sq ft.
Every unit is secured with a digital lock, and the whole site is covered by 24-hour monitored CCTV. You can drive right up to the loading bay, where large roller shutters make it easier to move furniture and bulky items in and out. External vehicle storage is also available.
The contract terms are simple: there's no minimum stay, no deposit, and you only pay when you move in. That suits anyone who isn't sure how long they'll need the space, such as a house move waiting on a completion date.
Putney Road sits in the LE2 area, around 0.8km from the University of Leicester, 1km from King Power Stadium and 1.3km from Leicester railway station. That makes it practical for students, flat dwellers and households across the south of the city.
“There are good storage options in Leicester, and the right one depends on what you need. If you want to get to your unit late at night or early in the morning, or you aren’t sure how long you’ll need it, that’s where we fit best.” — Roger Canham, Director, Smartbox Self Storage Leicester
What does Shurgard Self Storage Leicester offer?
Shurgard is the closest competitor, 0.3km from Smartbox on Freemens Common Road (LE2 7SQ). Customers can get to their units from 7am to 9pm every day. The office is open Monday to Friday 9am–6pm and Saturday 10am–4pm, and closed on Sundays.
Shurgard publishes its prices online. When we checked, a 25 sq ft unit was listed at £31.62 a week, with a promotional rate of £15.69 a week. A 50 sq ft unit was listed at £45.23 a week, with a promotional rate of £22.62 a week. A £1 first month offer was also running, subject to promotion conditions. Lockers start at 15 sq ft.
Security includes 24/7 CCTV, monitored alarms, app-controlled entry and your own lock and key. There's no deposit, the minimum rental is one week, and payment starts when you sign your contract. Shurgard also has a covered loading bay, ground-floor direct-access units, free trolleys and on-site parking.
The trade-off is access: you can't reach your unit between 9pm and 7am. As with any promotional rate, check what the price becomes once the offer ends.
What does Storage Giant Leicester offer?
Storage Giant is the most central option, at 90 Sanvey Gate (LE1 4BQ) next to Highcross, 2.4km from Smartbox. The site has more than 600 storage spaces, from 5 sq ft lockers to 230 sq ft units.
Storage Giant advertises prices from 71p a day and a lowest price guarantee (terms apply), but you'll need a quote for a specific unit. Units are covered by 24/7 CCTV monitoring, and short contracts are available.
Access is limited to trading hours: Monday to Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 9am–6pm and Sunday 10am–4pm. The site is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday, and its website notes that times may vary. That works if you visit during the day, but less well if you need evening or overnight access.
What does Safestore Leicester offer?
Safestore sits on the north side of the city at 1 Pioneer Close, Abbey Lane (LE4 5QY), just off the A6 and 3.7km from Smartbox. It has the widest size range in this comparison, from a 10 sq ft locker to spaces of 500 sq ft and more.
Prices are quote-only. When we checked, Safestore was offering a choice of £1 for the first month or 50% off for eight weeks, alongside a lowest price guarantee. There's no deposit and no long-term commitment.
Safestore offers drive-up room access, a forklift service and a large free car park, which suits businesses moving stock. Security includes 24-hour CCTV, intruder alarms and sole key holder access. Reception is open Monday to Saturday 8am–6pm and Sunday 10am–4pm, with extended access hours on selected units on request.
How do Leicester's storage options compare?
Smartbox is the only option with 24/7 access. Shurgard is the closest alternative and publishes its prices online. Storage Giant is the most central, and Safestore has the widest range of sizes plus drive-up rooms.
Which Leicester storage option is best for your situation?
Best for:
- Access at any hour (late removal vans, shift work, early starts): Smartbox, the only facility here with 24/7 access
- Short or uncertain timescales: Smartbox, with no minimum stay and no deposit
- Students at the University of Leicester: Smartbox or Shurgard, both within about 1km of the campus
- Comparing published prices before you call: Shurgard, which lists unit prices online
- City-centre convenience without a car: Storage Giant, next to Highcross
- Very large units or business stock on the north side of the city: Safestore, with spaces of 500 sq ft and more, drive-up rooms and a forklift
Not suitable for:
- Evening or overnight access: Storage Giant, Safestore (outside selected units) and Shurgard after 9pm
- Units larger than 200 sq ft: Smartbox, whose largest unit is 200 sq ft
- Budgeting on introductory rates alone: any provider running a promotional offer, including Shurgard and Safestore
