Kloud9, a trailblazer in the realm of internet infrastructure, is proud to partner with Salboy in unveiling Victoria House Manchester, a contemporary residential endeavour housing 177 apartments across 25 stories. This collaboration ensures that residents will enjoy blazing internet speeds up to 1 gigabit per second, making Victoria House a benchmark for modern living in the urban landscape.

Strategically located in Manchester’s bustling hub, Victoria House mirrors the city’s dynamic and progressive spirit. Through Kloud9’s provision of ultra-fast internet, the development promises a living experience where luxury, convenience, and superior digital connectivity converge.

“We aim to revolutionise how residents experience their home by providing them with the fastest internet speeds. Kloud9’s technology ensures that Victoria House will be at the forefront of digital innovation in residential living,” declared Alex Jackson, CEO of Kloud9.

Salboy, distinguished for its dedication to creating high-quality property developments, has conceptualised Victoria House with the contemporary city dweller’s lifestyle in mind.

Simon Ismail, Managing Director at Salboy, remarked, “Integrating Kloud9’s high-speed internet into Victoria House aligns perfectly with our vision of providing residents with a living space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also technologically advanced.”

This partnership is poised to redefine the standard of living in Manchester, placing Victoria House at the forefront of digitally integrated residential communities.

The Guardian‘s latest figures indicate that the UK’s self-storage industry is fast approaching a significant revenue milestone of £1 billion. This surge in growth coincides with the challenging housing market conditions, compelling many residents to face the daunting costs associated with moving or enlarging their homes.

With the average moving expense in the UK estimated at an eye-watering £12,000, the utility and affordability of self-storage solutions are becoming more pronounced.

Insights into Industry’s Growth Trajectory

The self-storage domain showcased remarkable growth in 2022, with a 6.5% rise in revenue reaching £990 million. This signifies the industry’s robustness and its increasing role within the economy.

The intensified quest for additional storage has seen both individual households and commercial entities across the UK taking up over 2 million sq ft of storage space, reaffirming the indispensable nature of self-storage solutions in contemporary life.

The sector is expected to maintain its growth momentum, with future plans indicating the establishment of more than 280 new storage facilities by 2026, thereby achieving a growth rate of over 10%.

Principal Factors Contributing to Industry Growth

A combination of key elements is driving the increased demand for self-storage, including:

The soaring housing costs and the shrinking availability of residential spaces are compelling individuals to look towards self-storage as a viable alternative.

The rising number of students opting to live away from home has also spurred the demand for dedicated student storage services.

Efficient Moving and Storage Strategies

To assist both individuals and enterprises in managing the logistical and financial aspects of moving and storage more effectively, The Box Co. offers essential tips in their guide ‘5 Tips for Moving House On A Budget’:

• Declutter Before You Pack: Engage in a thorough purge of unnecessary items to streamline your move and lower costs.
• Compare Self-Storage Options: Analyze various deals to strike the right balance between convenience and affordability.
• DIY Packing and Moving: Enlist the support of friends and family for packing and moving tasks to circumvent professional charges.
• Off-Peak Moving: Schedule your relocation during off-peak periods to take advantage of discounted rates.
• Seek Out Free Packing Materials: Source free boxes and packing materials from local establishments and use readily available items at home to further reduce moving expenses.

Outlook for the UK’s Self-Storage Market

The ongoing expansion of the self-storage market is not only a response to the immediate storage needs of the UK populace but also an indicator of the broader housing crisis challenges. With the industry on the brink of hitting the £1 billion mark in annual revenues, the prospects for both consumers and self-storage service providers remain highly positive

Transitioning from its former identity as albelli-Photobox Group, the company encompassing Photobox UK and Bonusprint has been reborn as Storio group. This rebranding heralds a significant evolution within the European market for personalised photo products, underscored by an impressive annual revenue exceeding EUR 340M and a loyal customer base of over 11 million. Coinciding with this rebranding is a pivotal change in the company’s executive leadership, with Alessandro Coppo succeeding Tristan Money as CEO on the 8th of February, 2024. This transition is a cornerstone of the company’s strategic two-year plan post-merger, aimed at enhancing integration, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable growth.

The announcement of this transformative rebranding and leadership change was made during an engaging internal launch event. This event was simultaneously live-streamed from Amsterdam, London, and Barcelona, bridging all European offices and manufacturing sites in a unified digital celebration. This marked the advent of a promising new era for Storio group, with festivities resonating across all its locations.

Tristan Money concluded his notable nine-year tenure with the successful merger with Photobox in January 2022, handing over the leadership baton to Alessandro Coppo.

Alessandro Coppo joins Storio group with a rich backdrop of over 25 years in the industry, including significant roles at Boston Consulting Group and a noteworthy 17-year tenure at eBay. At eBay, he was instrumental in scaling the Classifieds Group’s revenues from $300M to over $1B, showcasing his strategic ingenuity in using technology to connect individuals and create secure, engaging commerce experiences. This wealth of experience positions him perfectly to lead Storio group into its next phase of growth and innovation.

As the incoming CEO, Alessandro is dedicated to building upon the solid foundations established by Tristan and the existing leadership, with the ambition of transforming Storio group into a leading and endearing brand that connects individuals with their most treasured moments.

The shift to Storio group signifies the company’s continuous evolution and its commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. This rebranding symbolises the company’s dedication to pursuing innovation and growth within its industry. Central to Storio group’s new ethos is its purpose statement, “To Make Joy Unforgettable,” reflecting its mission to immortalise the special moments of its customers.

Upon taking up his new role, Alessandro Coppo shared, “It’s a thrilling time to lead a company that sits at the intersection of digital and physical realms and whose products have a deep level of emotional connection with its customers. Our commitment to innovation and personal connection is unique, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Tristan and the team. Our new brand identity and values will be central to our commitment to customers and employees.”

Tristan Money commented on the strategic changes, “The launch of Storio group and the welcoming of Alessandro Coppo as CEO, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Since the merger of albelli and Photobox Group 2 years ago, we have worked diligently to integrate our operations and set a clear path for the future. Alessandro’s experience and vision align perfectly with Storio group’s mission, vision, purpose, values, and proposition.”

Under its revamped identity and with fresh leadership at the helm, Storio group is positioned to strengthen its market position, introducing innovative offerings to elevate customer experiences and foster growth, in line with its newly articulated purpose, values, and EVP.