Cookes Furniture, the family-run furniture and self-storage business with a long-established store in Christchurch, Dorset, is preparing to open a new “state-of-the-art” self-storage facility in the town after securing a £1m loan facility from Lloyds.
The funding is supporting the business’s growth plans, including the fit-out of the new Christchurch storage site this spring, which is aiming to open in June 2026. The facility will have an initial capacity of over 100 units, with further phases of development planned as occupancy grows.
A key focus of the new site is technology, as it will be built with new security and digital access integrated from day one. Lloyds’ support is helping Cookes invest in digital access control designed to modernise the self-storage experience – moving away from the traditional “padlock on a door” model towards phone-based access. The new systems will enable customers to manage entry via their phones, while Cookes can support customers remotely, 24/7. The technology also allows access to be enabled or disabled when required, strengthening security and helping protect customers’ belongings.
Alongside its established furniture showroom in Christchurch and a significant online presence, Cookes operates self-storage sites in Sutton Coldfield and Stratford-upon-Avon. The Christchurch development brings that experience to Dorset, adding a new service for local residents and businesses at a time when demand for flexible space is growing.
Cookes Furniture is a third-generation, family-run business celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Founded in 1946 by Ted Cooke after returning from the Second World War, the company has grown from its Midlands roots into a multi-site operation. Alongside its retail presence, Cookes has built a self-storage arm over the last decade, with already established sites in Sutton Coldfield and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Today, the business is led by Managing Director James Pike alongside three directors from the Cooke family – Graham Cooke’s daughters – who oversee merchandising, marketing and the commercial side of the business. Cookes employs around 70 people across its furniture and storage operations, with several colleagues having worked for the company for more than 30 years.
The news comes as over £2.5 billion of new finance is available to businesses across the South West in 2026, helping them grow, invest and create new jobs. This forms part of Lloyds Banking Group’s plan to make over £35 billion of new finance available to companies operating and investing across the UK in 2026[1].
James Pike, Managing Director at Cookes Furniture, said: “We’ve been present in Christchurch since 1993, and we’re really excited to bring our self-storage offer to the area alongside our existing retail store. For customers, storage is all about trust. You’re often storing items that are very personal, especially in the case of major life events like house moves, and you need to know they’re safe.
“This new site will open with the latest tech built in from day one, giving customers a secure, modern facility with the reassurance of strong access control. We’re proud to be celebrating 80 years in business this year, and this investment is about making sure we keep evolving for the future.”
Luke Blount, Relationship Director at Lloyds, said: “Cookes has built an impressive, customer-focused business over three generations, and their plans for Christchurch show real ambition to bring a modern, tech-enabled storage facility to Dorset.
“We’re pleased to support the team with funding that will help them invest in new capacity and technology, strengthening security and improving the customer experience as they continue to grow.”
