Universal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.  We are dedicated to researching and developing new techniques within our sector in order to provide our customers with products not only for today, but also the future.

With the well-documented decline of our high streets and the small businesses which traditionally occupied them, there is an increasing interest from local authorities, start-up companies and entrepreneurs searching for newer, creative ideas to revive our shopping centres, markets and city centres.  We have spent a lot of time over the past year developing a cost-effective solution for these needs, utilising shipping containers.

Shipping containers have many qualities and make a great blank canvas to create the perfect, bespoke, manageable unit.  Containerised solutions come with the benefits of affordability, sustainability, strength and flexibility.  With all of the above in mind, we have taken our first steps towards helping rejuvenate and sustain old and new businesses alike with the development of our 20ft pop-up shop/café/bar.

The possibilities with this container conversion are plentiful.  The entire side panel is operated via an electric winch system, taking less than one minute to fully open and close, with an additional traditional door available at the rear or side of the unit.  Once opened, an extended floor space is available which provides capacity for all manner of uses such as seating or product displays.

The floor space is sheltered by a full electric awning system which is rated for UK weather conditions.  The awning is available in a choice of colours and add on features including wind and rain sensors.  The unit is available in a range of internal and external finishes.

After seeing this unit in action, we’re sure you’ll agree that it has massive potential in many applications.  The possibilities are endless whether you’re exploring your options in opening a small café, pop-up shop or moving the unit from festival to festival.

If you share our enthusiasm for this industry-leading project, please get in touch for more information.

We frequently advertise shipping containers as being a versatile means of creating the space you need for anything from storage to retail and even living space.

Container conversions can be a great, flexible means to creating office space, cafes, pop-up shops and more.  As we always point out, the biggest limitation is your imagination!  That certainly is the case when it comes to the blank canvas, as it were, the plain, untouched shipping container.  But what about the ready converted shipping container?  For instance, in the case of this 20ft x 8ft container conversion that we currently have ready made and ready to go, there is the potential for use as a site office, kitchen or toilet block.

So, what would you use it for?  Don’t forget, what you see here is just the beginning, these ready made shipping container conversions are so versatile that they can be added to and further converted to suit all sorts of needs, they quite literally are building blocks. Due to their very nature, shipping containers can be stacked or joined, giving way to much larger structures, our own Irlam offices being a great example of this.

This particular container conversion is available at time of writing for a great price, but is unlikely to be around for long due to demand.  However, that said, it is always worth getting in touch to see if we have any similar ready made shipping container conversions available, after all, it’s what we do!  Alternatively, if you have an idea or requirement for a container conversion which is outside the norm, it is also worth getting in touch, we have a long history of undertaking all manner of container conversion projects for all purposes.  After all, custom made shipping container conversions is a large part of what we do, one size most definitely does not fit all!

Within today’s economic climate, many of us face struggles surrounding our finances. However, the majority of England’s population are able to successfully get by, either with no external assistance or with the help of food banks and similar. Homelessness across the globe is a real social crisis that needs solving. Since 2010, estimates show that there has been an increase of 165% of people having to live on the streets. Surely, in modern day England, we should not have families having nowhere to turn to but the pavement.

So, what would a viable solution be? A cheaper alternative to housing and sheltered accommodation- adapted shipping containers! The versatility of shipping containers means that they can be transformed into self-contained micro flats, or built up and converted into shared accommodation buildings. This revolutionary idea has been implemented from Brighton to Cardiff, but the city of Bristol is now well known for using shipping containers as ‘moving on accommodation’ to aid its homelessness issue. In addition to these cities providing shipping container homes for the homeless, a Buckinghamshire town is creating these homes to prevent homelessness in one of the UK’s richest areas.

Not only will this type of accommodation provide a safe environment for families and individuals with nowhere else to go, but it will also dramatically increase the likelihood of them gaining employment, helping them to shatter the stereotypes of being homeless. Figures from 2018 show that around 55% of homeless families are actually in work. However, it is difficult for them to maintain a stable job and income, making it tough to secure housing. Yet, one of the many perks of shipping container homes for the homeless is that more than adequate shelter is provided, ensuring that jobs can be held down and that their chances of permanently getting off of the streets are raised substantially.

It is estimated that within the United Kingdom, over 300,000 people are sleeping rough- however, this figure does not take into consideration the ‘hidden homeless’, those who have nowhere to live but are not recorded in official systems as needing housing assistance. This number is staggering, and to do nothing about it would be ludicrous- especially with this solution sat right in front of us.

In addition to providing shelter for these people, shipping container homes would also offer a secure environment- allowing those who once worried about making it through the night a restful night’s sleep.
We are facing a real social crisis that needs a solution immediately. It’s neither humane nor morally right to continue leaving vulnerable people on our streets, regardless of their history. Each and every man, woman and child living on the streets deserves a chance to be welcomed back into society with open arms. Adaptable shipping container homes for the homeless offers a chance for these individuals to return to a happier and safer life, away from the daily fears that come with having nowhere else to turn to.