Competition is heating up in the self storage market, with two new facilities set to be launched on the Island in the coming months.

Island Self Storage, which is the brainchild of entrepreneur Don Mackenzie, chairman of New Venture Holdings Ltd., in collaboration with business consultant Glen Smith, president of Island Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd., plans to offer everything from residential to commercial use at the facility's Mill Reach Properties site in Pembroke when its doors open at the start of May.

And Bermuda Public Storage, the new seven-floor facility in Elliott Street which is being built by Troy Burrows, owner of Burrows Construction, aims to be up and running for business in June.

Elsewhere, Bedrock Secure Self Storage in Ferry Reach has already been in operation since last year.

Island Self Storage underwent a soft marketing launch in November and December 2009, with brochures detailing the facility and its services being sent out to commercial renters in Hamilton, as well as hand delivering them to condominium developments in the city, Pembroke and Paget.

The business stepped up its campaign during January and February, through the use of a roadside billboard to catch passers-by's eyes, in addition to exhibiting at the Coldwell Banker Home Show last month and getting an average of 11 to 15 hits a day on its website and advertising in The Royal Gazette and on television and radio throughout March.

Mr. Mackenzie reckons that his facility will meet the needs of the homeowner and businessman alike, with a 20 percent take-up so far.

"There seems to be a pent-up demand for secure climate-controlled storage," he said.

"Because it is a new product in Bermuda, for some of our market, people will need to see it to understand it fully."

Building work is expected to be completed in two weeks' time and the company is planning a soft opening of the facility in the latter half of April to show prospective clients around, with a view to officially opening in May.

The storage facility, which will be based on the first floor of the new building, will house 300 storage units of different sizes ranging from 5ft x 5ft to 10ft x 30ft, with 24 specially designed wine storage units also available — the first of its kind in Bermuda. A freight elevator will lift goods from and to the purpose-built ramp on the delivery bay outside, while for those users on top, a stair platform allows them to access their units, and a commercial dehumidifier will keep humidity levels at a low inside.

It is also conveniently located near to town and in one of the Island's biggest industrial estates, with 50 parking spaces, while small businesses and restaurants can take advantage of being able to buy in bulk and shelve their goods as well as the 24-7 access should they require to take anything out at short notice or late in the evening/early in the morning.

Meanwhile there will be a retail shop selling boxes and packaging and specialised cylinder locks, as well as Wi-Fi to enable small merchandisers to do their inventories and a photocopying and facsimile service.

"We feel the market will not only appeal to residential clients, but we are getting interest from small business who want small spaces on a month-by-month basis as well," said Mr. Mackenzie.

Mr. Smith said the facility will sell itself on its service provision and ease of use, with the option of a pick up and delivery service to assist people moving house or companies relocating and putting their goods into storage.

He is also wary of the competition, but believes there is enough room in the market for all of the new self storage facilities now available in Bermuda.

"We are aware of what the competition is doing and we believe there is enough in the market for everybody, but we are going to be selling our facility on its first class level of service," he said.

The company also plans to help the local economy during these tough economic times with the creation of a number of jobs, including an office manager and a driver, with a scope to grow further based on demand.

Mr. Burrows expects to finish construction on his facility by the end of April, with the mechanical work being completed in June and be ready for opening the same month.

He said the roof and some of the floors have been fitted and two of the big walls plastered, while the partitions are yet to be installed and the outside of the building will be painted in the next few weeks.

Like his competitors, Mr. Burrows has launched a concerted marketing campaign through the local media and on signage at the BAA Field.

"Interest has been pretty good," he said.

"We are renting storage units now on a daily basis, with businesses taking quite a bit of space and some interest from the residential market as well.

"I would say we are at about 50 percent full and expect to be up to about 65 to 70 percent by the time we are ready to open."

Indeed, Mr. Burrows has seen a big demand for more space, particularly from businesses, and believes there cannot be enough space for storage on the Island.

He plans to have two staff on site and the facility will also offer an outside trucking service for moving of goods.

"With all of these self storage facilities opening in Bermuda, it allows the concept to be introduced to the Island more powerfully," he said.

"When I first started this project there was no self-storage facility on the Island two years ago, but I feel that once Bermudians get a feel for the business and understand the true convenience of it then demand should pick up over time."

The 50,000 square foot facility, which consists of two underground floors and five above ground floors, including a mezzanine level, comes in 5ft x 5ft, 10ft x 10ft and 10ft x 30ft units, costing $375 per month for a 10ft x 10ft unit. Units can also be customised to fit a required size or specification.

Among the businesses to have expressed an interest in taking space at the new facility are insurance companies, law firms, retailers and restaurants, storing everything from files and documents to products and goods and even wine, all in a climate-controlled and dehumidified environment run via a computer.

There is 24-hour access to the building and a back-up generator in the event of a power outage. The facility's main tenant will be Bermuda Ocean Shipping, whose head office and warehouse will be based in the building, which will enable customers to switch their imported goods straight from the container to their storage units.