Our journey

31/10/2025

At Extra Space Self Storage, we endeavour to bring you a service that is packaged with security, convenience and great customer service, but our story isn’t your typical self storage one. Our story starts on the podium of international motorsports. The foundation of Extra Space is built on a legacy of innovation, precision and leadership, all due to Alastair Caldwell – our frontman who has continued the race for four decades.

The high-octane years: racing to victory

Born in England and raised partly in New Zealand, Alastair Caldwell found his calling under a chassis, joining the legendary McLaren Formula 1 team in 1967. Alastair quickly jumped up the ranks with his natural ability to lead, eventually becoming team manager during McLaren’s most iconic eras.

And if Alastair wasn’t enough of a legend already, under his direction, the team managed to secure world championships, too, with James Hunt’s victory in 1976. This will be a moment forever cemented in the history of racing, as well as the history of Extra Space Self Storage.

Alastair was more than a manager. He was also an innovator who personally spearheaded engineering advances that allowed McLaren to have that competitive edge. He introduced game-changing ideas, such as a six-speed gearbox, lightweight starting systems, and effective aerodynamic enhancements.

Seeing opportunity in storage

Alastair was a natural entrepreneur and used every opportunity that came his way to make a difference. While touring the United States with F1, he came across modern self storage for the first time and immediately saw a gap in the market back in the UK. If he could manage the logistics

of a multi-million-pound racing team travelling the globe, surely he could manage the logistics of helping people store their most valued possessions, right? Right.

So, Alastair decided to take the leap, and in 1983, he launched his first self storage facility in the large village of Colnbrook. The self storage facility was built initially from shipping containers. But Alastair didn’t embark on this journey alone. His daughter, Ruth, fresh out of college and ready to help build the Caldwell legacy, joined the self storage world.

As one can expect with any new business, their early days were marked with intense, hands-on labour and long hours, and together they worked efficiently to turn this new dream into a reality. It’s easy to see that the Caldwell family blended their F1-inspired discipline and meticulous attention to detail with a genuine, family-led care for customers and belongings.

Fast forward a few years, and what started as a small family-run business turned into a self storage empire, gaining traction and a stellar reputation. Being a reliable self storage business means that they could facilitate steady expansion, new sites and a growing community of content and loyal customers.

Our promise – the Caldwell standard

Today, the spirit of that pioneering founder still fuels Extra Space Self Storage, and when you choose to store your belongings with us, you’re not only renting a unit, but also trusting a company that has been built on a legacy of innovation and discipline. We blend Alastair Caldwell’s original values with modern standards:

Reliability: Just like a meticulously prepared race car, our facilities are dependable and secure.
Meticulous attention to detail: From the security systems to the cleanliness of your unit, we oversee every aspect with precision.
A pioneering spirit: We continue to innovate, ensuring our solutions are convenient, flexible, and customer-focused.

Our journey proves that great ideas can, and often do, come from the most unlikely of places. Thank you for being a part of our incredible history at Extra Space Self Storage.

Are you looking for your next self storage solution? Be sure to get in touch with our team of friendly experts with unbeatable experience today!