A Crewe container storage site has turned into a mini-business park, as local firms abandon shops and warehouses to cut soaring costs.

Business owners using Lock Stock Self Storage's Catherine Street/Frances Street site say running their companies from there is saving them a small fortune and helping them weather challenging economic conditions.

Owner of William James Carpets, Steve Smith, formerly located on Oak Street (now Farmfoods), has three containers at the facility.

According to Mr Smith, the units are all he needs to run his business after giving up the lease on his shop in March.

He told Nub News: "The Lock Stock site definitely has a bit of a business park feel, you see other businesses coming and going all the time.

"Having the storage containers rather than renting a shop has greatly reduced my outgoings and my overheads.

"So many people are now having containers rather than having a shop or a full-blown warehouse.

"I know quite a few people in the flooring industry that are doing the same - a friend of mine does it in Warrington.

"And the delivery drivers for the companies that deliver to me say this is happening all over the country.

"They say a lot of suppliers are getting used to delivering to storage container parks because it is becoming the norm now.

"I rented a shop unit at Oak Street for 15 years, I had a full showroom and warehouse there under one roof.

"Farmfoods next door to me wanted to expand, and they asked me if I wanted to move because they wanted to take my unit as well.

"My lease was due for renewal in October and the landlord had told me the rent was probably going to go up.

"With the current economic climate and with so much uncertainty, when Farmfoods offered to take the unit, I just thought 'yes, let's do it, and let's downsize and move the business forward'.

"I had a little shop before the Oak Street unit, so I have actually had a shop for 20 years, and I have been a carpet fitter for 28 years."

Many smaller firms didn't need a shop or an expensive warehouse, but did need somewhere secure and accessible to store their goods and equipment, and customers often preferred a friendly, convenient and personal service at home.

Steve said: "I was finding that when I was in the shop, I was still going out to customers' houses measuring up and I was taking the samples with me anyway.

"My customers are benefiting because they don't have to spend time and money, buying fuel for example, to go out to the shop.

"I have got three of the 20-foot containers and that is perfect for what I need to store my carpets.

"I have a fitting service and everything is operated as it was with the shop, but without a showroom."

Lock Stock regional manager Richard Warner said the company's storage sites were a popular and convenient alternative to expensive warehouses, leased shops and rented business units on industrial estates.

He said: "So many firms, of all sizes, use our storage sites that they are becoming business parks in their own right.

"Our safe and secure containers offer a less expensive option to businesses who don't need, or are unwilling to pay for, a rented warehouse or leased shop.

"Our Crewe site is being used by various local businesses, and they all say what we offer suits their every need."

Simon Gale, owner of roof and exterior cleaning specialists All Cleanze, said the Lock Stock site was perfect for all kinds of businesses.

He said: "I see business owners there a lot and we often bump into each other in the morning, have a chat and talk about what we are doing.

"As a sole trader that's great, it's nice to speak to other businesses.

"Before I took on the container, I was trying to keep as much equipment in my van as I possibly could.

"But that made each job an absolute nightmare, as I sometimes had to completely unload the van just so I could get to that one thing I needed for a particular job.

"I was also storing stuff in my shed, and in my garden, so I just thought I had a headache I needed to sort out and that's why I chose Lock Stock.

"I got in touch with Lock Stock and literally done a deal the same day I called them.

"Within half an hour of making the call and signing the paperwork electronically online, I was in the unit and putting stuff in there, it was a really smooth process.

"Other places like shops or industrial units are just really expensive to rent, and then you've got potential business rates to consider, so that didn't look viable from my perspective being a sole trader."

Mike Both from Mike's Constructions Group, said the storage site was a great help to his business, so much so, he had taken on a second 20-foot long container recently.

He leads a team of 12 staff at the business and started the firm seven years ago.

Mike said: "We started using one container a few months ago and recently we have just taken another one because we are needing more space for our materials and tools.

"The site is very good and very safe for businesses, for us it is definitely helping our business."

With locations in North Wales, the north west, Shropshire and Staffordshire, Lock Stock has over 5,700 storage units providing more than five million cubic feet of space at more than 35 storage parks.

For information about Lock Stock Self Storage including off-site container hire, contact them on 01745 817178 or visit HERE.

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