BNKer, a Manchester-founded start-up, is expanding across the North West with a fully managed self-storage solution designed to operate within residential buildings, helping landlords unlock new revenue while offering residents convenient storage options.
With homes becoming smaller and cities more densely populated, the demand for efficient use of space has never been greater. Renters continue to face the same challenge wherever they move: how to store belongings that are not used every day, in an environment where space is increasingly limited.
Rather than directing residents to off-site facilities, BNKer’s approach focuses on making use of space already available within residential developments.
The company has introduced a fully managed self-storage model tailored specifically for residential properties, converting underused areas into secure, resident-only storage units without any cost to landlords or property owners.
Spaces such as unused storage rooms, underutilised bike stores, basement areas and sections of car parks often go unused while still requiring maintenance. BNKer transforms these areas into practical storage solutions, allowing residents to free up living space while keeping belongings secure and accessible.
BNKer’s business model is designed to remove complexity for landlords. The company takes responsibility for installation and ongoing operations, including marketing, customer onboarding, billing, maintenance, insurance and support services. In exchange, landlords receive a share of the income generated, with no upfront costs or long-term commitments.
Residents benefit from having storage facilities located within their own building, eliminating the need for off-site travel. Units are secure, accessible 24/7 and designed to integrate seamlessly into residential environments, offering a convenient and reliable storage option.
The concept was inspired by Switzerland’s approach to residential living, where storage units are commonly included as part of apartment design. In the UK, this practice is not yet widespread, and BNKer aims to introduce a similar standard while creating value for both tenants and property owners.
David Fricker, Founder of BNKer, says:
“For landlords and building operators who already have so much to manage, BNKer takes care of everything, all while turning unused areas into something genuinely valuable for residents and financially beneficial for owners. We’re seeing fantastic results across our sites, with high resident uptake and meaningful new income being generated from spaces that previously sat idle and was costing landlords.”
The system is built with adaptability in mind. Units can be relocated, resized or removed entirely to accommodate changing building requirements, whether due to redevelopment or evolving resident needs. This ensures landlords maintain full control over how their space is used in the long term.
As urban populations grow and apartment living becomes more prevalent, BNKer is positioning itself at the intersection of property innovation and everyday practicality.
By making better use of existing building space, the company is reshaping how self-storage is delivered for a new generation of residents.
