The demand for temporary warehouse space in the UK is not going away. E-commerce growth, supply chain disruptions, just-in-time inventory pressures and major construction projects have all pushed businesses to look for fast, flexible additional storage that does not require permanent construction.
A temporary warehouse structure can be installed in days, operational within a week, and removed cleanly when you no longer need it. In many cases you will not even need planning permission. Here is what you need to know.
Why Businesses Use Temporary Warehouse Structures
The most common reasons people contact us about temporary warehouse space are peak season overflow, facility expansion bridging, business continuity after fire or flood damage, and project-specific storage on construction sites. All of those situations share the same characteristic: you need more covered space quickly, without signing a long lease or waiting for a permanent building to go up.
Our temporary warehouse structures are used regularly on major construction sites for materials storage, on-site fabrication and plant cover, as well as by logistics operators, retailers, manufacturers and agricultural businesses across the UK.
Which Type of Structure Do You Need
PVC clearspan structures are the most cost-effective and fastest to install. Standard widths from 10m to 30m with virtually unlimited length, eave heights up to 6m to accommodate racking and forklifts. Right for most basic storage applications.
Insulated structures add genuine thermal performance for temperature-sensitive goods, pharmaceutical storage, food production or any application where a stable internal environment is non-negotiable. These are the right choice for year-round use where running costs matter.
Steel frame structures are the heavy-duty option, appropriate for very large clearspan spans, very long-term use, or applications needing structural support for overhead cranes or heavy racking. The closest temporary equivalent to a permanent industrial building.
Sizing Your Warehouse
Take your current used floor area and add 30% for access, turning and future growth as a starting point. Eave height is critical if you are running forklifts. A standard counterbalance forklift with a 1.5m loaded pallet needs at least 4.5 to 5m of clear height at maximum reach. We always confirm this against your specific equipment and racking before quoting.
Access Doors
Industrial roller shutters are standard on our warehouse structures, available from 3m up to 6m wide and to suit your eave height. If you receive HGV deliveries, a raised loading bay or dock-leveller solution can be specified. Tell us if this is a requirement when you enquire and we will design it in from the start rather than trying to add it later.
Planning Permission
Under 28 days, no permission required in most cases. 28 days to 12 months, permitted development rights often apply for structures under 200 square metres on commercial or industrial land. Over 12 months or for larger structures, a formal planning application will generally be needed. Our planning permission guide explains the rules in full.
Hire or Buy
For most temporary warehouse requirements, hiring is the most practical option. Fixed monthly cost, maintenance included, clean removal when you are done. Purchasing makes more sense if you need the structure for three to five years or more and want to own the asset. Our ex-hire structures offer a cost-effective way to buy quality second-hand stock from our fleet.
Book a free site visit or call 0203 758 3315 for a same-day quote.