Manchester, UK. April 9th, 2026 – Manchester-based startup BNKer is expanding its influence across the North West, introducing a fully managed, in-building self-storage solution designed to convert empty space into secure, convenient storage for residents while generating new income for landlords.
Apartments are getting smaller, cities are getting denser, while residents are demanding more from their homes. One challenge continues to follow renters from building to building: where do you put the things you don’t use every day? Now, space is becoming one of the most valuable (and limited) commodities.
A new Manchester-founded company believes the answer isn’t miles away in an external storage facility; it’s already inside the building.
BNKer is the UK’s first fully managed self-storage solution designed specifically for residential developments, transforming underused areas into secure, resident-only storage facilities at no cost to landlords or property owners.
From redundant storerooms and half-empty bike stores to car park corners and basements, residential buildings often contain areas that generate no value but still require oversight. BNKer converts these overlooked spaces into convenient storage amenities, helping residents store belongings safely without sacrificing living space.
At the heart of BNKer’s growth is a simple yet highly effective model at no cost to the landlord. The company installs and operates self-storage units directly within residential buildings, managing everything from marketing and onboarding to billing, maintenance, insurance and customer service. In return, landlords receive a share of storage revenue, with no upfront or lifetime costs, operational burden or long-term restrictions on how their space can be used.
For residents, the impact is equally practical. With secure storage available inside their own building, there is no need to travel off-site or compromise valuable apartment space. Units are secure by design, installed within the development itself, and accessible 24/7, providing a safe and convenient solution as storage needs evolve. Designed specifically for residential environments, the units feel like a natural extension of the building rather than a separate facility.
The idea emerged from being inspired by Switzerland’s “space as standard practice” design scheme, with apartments being equipped with assigned secure units to ensure storage needs are comfortably met. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, is yet to offer a similar alternative, and BNKer’s model aims to benefit not just the residents, but the landlords themselves.
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.”
Importantly, installations are designed with flexibility in mind. Units can be relocated, resized or removed entirely if building requirements change, whether due to redevelopment, repurposing communal areas, or shifting resident needs. Landlords retain full long-term control of their asset while benefiting from otherwise unused space in the meantime.
As UK cities continue to densify apartment living becomes the norm for millions, BNKer is positioning itself at the intersection of property innovation and practical everyday living.
By rethinking how residential buildings use their existing space, BNKer may be redefining self-storage for a new generation of residents.
ENDS