CLASSIC STORAGE AS BIG AS THE VATICAN!
Why a collector who started with a Morris Minor is building UK’s largest site
An entrepreneur is promising classic car owners the UK’s largest private car storage facility. Rodger Dudding, 80, made his millions in the garage business, earning himself the title of ‘Mr Lock-Up’. Dudding is also a serial car collector – turning his 1955 Morris Minor Saloon and 1968 Jensen FF into a 200-strong collection, powering his Studio 434 business – a collection used as a museum as well as a rental service for the film and TV industries. Gritty BBC drama Peaky
Blinders is just one show to benefit from Dudding’s collection.
And now he’s building what is being heralded as the UK’s largest purposebuilt, secure car storage facility in the country.
It’s located close to his Studio 434 premises in Potters Bar and has more than 400,000 usable square feet storage of parking space (equivalent to just under the size of Vatican City) with ancillary accommodation. The temperature-controlled facility will have room for up to 500 cars once building is complete. Around 100 cars have already moved in.
Dudding is aiming the new facility at classics and top end modern cars. He says: ‘Investment in high value and collectable classic cars continues to grow in the UK, however, there is a shortage of modern, 24/7 high security storage facilities for these increasingly valuable vehicles.
‘Hence the investment we are making in the new storage facility, which will be available soon. Clients’ cars can be located at our facility discreetly and safely.’
The facility will have a dual alarm system with Redcar CCTV and includes a fire alarm and sprinkler system. It will cost from £45 per week, per car and is set to be completed by mid-June.