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Benefits of buying a shipping container from Universal Containers

With over 40 years of experience supplying new and used shipping containers across the UK, Universal Containers offers practical expertise, reliable service, and flexible solutions to suit a wide range of storage, transport, and conversion requirements.

Quality you can rely on

All new shipping containers meet industry standards for strength, security, and weather resistance, offering long-term durability for demanding environments, while our used containers are carefully inspected before sale so you can choose an option that suits your required condition and budget without compromising on usability or performance.
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Competitive pricing

Our new and used shipping containers are supplied at competitive UK prices, with clear and straightforward pricing across our range. There are no hidden costs, making it easier to compare options and select a container that fits both your needs and budget.
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Premium customisation options

We offer a wide range of customisation options, including additional doors, windows, ventilation, custom paint finishes, and more. Each container can be adapted to support your operational needs, branding, or site setup, giving you a solution that works exactly as intended.

Industry expertise & dedicated support

We’ve supplied a wide range of industries with custom shipping container solutions and unparalleled service for more than four decades. Our expert team will assist you at every stage, from selecting the right unit, to buying and delivering your container.

Large selection of new & used shipping containers

No matter the application, we offer practical container options to suit a wide range of projects. Our extensive selection of both new and used shipping containers for sale, guarantees you’ll find the right solution for your shipping or storage needs at competitive UK prices.

Our range includes 8ft, 9ft, and 10ft small shipping containers ideal for limited space, access-restricted sites, or lighter storage requirements. We also supply large shipping containers in sizes from 20ft to 45ft, designed for higher-volume storage, equipment housing, and commercial use.

When you purchase one of our new or used shipping containers, we provide an expert container delivery service, handling transport and on-site placement to make the process straightforward and hassle-free, regardless of your site or access requirements.

Uses and applications for shipping containers

All our new & used shipping containers are incredibly versatile and can be used for many different purposes in various settings.

Offices and workspaces

Shipping containers provide plenty of space to create comfortable, functional offices and workspaces. They’re perfect for everything from remote site offices to larger team workspaces, helping you stay productive wherever you are.

Cafes and bars

A fantastic choice for unique cafes and bars, providing a warm and welcoming setting that helps your business shine. Durable and weather-resistant, they keep your business running smoothly no matter the season while offering the ideal space for everything from casual coffee spots to lively evening hangouts.

Retail spaces

Ideal for creating vibrant retail spaces, shipping containers offer plenty of room to showcase your products and welcome customers. Built to withstand the elements, they provide a secure and inviting environment perfect for everything from pop-up shops to permanent boutiques.

Container homes and extensions

A perfect choice for creating unique, eco-friendly homes or adding valuable space to existing properties. Built from durable, weatherproof materials, they provide a reliable, long-lasting solution that blends seamlessly with modern lifestyles, whether you’re creating a full home or adding extra rooms.

We prioritise offering value for money, and providing affordable solutions that suit all budgets and needs.

Should you have any inquiries about buying a new or used shipping container online, require a personalised quote, or simply wish to discuss your options with our expert team, do not hesitate to contact us via the contact form or give us a call at 0161 775 3217 and speak to one of our experts.

Looking for a completely custom solution?

We have a wide range of base containers that can be customised to your needs, however we realise that sometimes you need something completely ‘Outside the box’.

Contact us and one of our experts will be in touch to help design the container of your dreams

Our containers in action

See some of the ways our amazing customers are using their containers.

Case Study: Garden Room Office Container Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Room Office Container

Despite restricted site access, we delivered a fully insulated, light-filled container office with carefully planned glazing, heating and electrics. The finished space provides a practical, year-round working environment suited for everyday use.

Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop Case Studies
Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop

We built a fully functional compact coffee shop from a shipping container with doors for customer access, a roller shutter for security, a serving hatch, and a small kitchen area complete with water heater and sink. 

Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop

In the pursuit of enhancing their museum and workshop facility, the Locomotive Society sought a creative solution to provide a welcoming space for their members, while adhering to the historical aesthetic of their railway centric environment.

Case Study: Garden Center Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Center

Universal Containers embarked on an exciting project to enhance a garden centre’s retail experience by supplying and customising two shipping container cabins. The goal was to seamlessly link these cabins on-site and transform them into a vibrant and functional gift shop.

Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit Case Studies
Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit

A restaurant had been operating successfully for several years. However, due to increasing demand and limited space within the restaurant premises, the owners decided to expand their operations by introducing an outdoor catering unit.

Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office

The local rugby club had been using a small, outdated ticket booth that no longer met their needs. The club’s management sought a more efficient and visually appealing solution that could accommodate their growing fan base.

Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion Case Studies
Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion

The client, an Industrial Chemical Storage Company specialising in chemical production and storage, faced the challenge of storing hazardous chemicals on their premises while adhering to stringent health and safety regulations.

Dropside Shipping Container Conversion Shipping
Dropside Shipping Container Conversion

Universal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.

32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins
32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins

These 2 large 32x10ft cabins were built for a British transport company. They requested a large space to act as a welfare facility for drivers and staff in the peak district. Due to the customer’s specific requirements, one unit was not large enough so we suggested 2 units, however floor space was an issue on-siteContinue reading “32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins”

32×10 Green Office Offices
32×10 Green Office

This particular office unit was completed for a North-West-based container hire company.

20×10 Gas Bottle Store
20×10 Gas Bottle Store

Custom Built Atex Coshh store for storing gas bottles. This unit was custom built with corrugated steel panels 20ft long x 10ft wide. It had a fully ventilated floor from galvanised steel mesh, as well as 4 aluminium louver vents in the walls. We also fitted galvanised box section racks with chains on to holdContinue reading “20×10 Gas Bottle Store”

Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room
Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room

Corrugated steel cabin 32ft x 10ft with adjustable jacklegs anti vandal steel personnel door and anti-vandal aluminium sliding windows in steel shutters. Painted externally in non-corrosive container paint in a vibrant red. Internally with walls where lined in a cost-effective melamine faced chipboard and fully insulated throughout in Rockwool. The floor had hard wearing vinylContinue reading “Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room”

20ft Multi-Bay Unit
20ft Multi-Bay Unit

Standard shipping container transformed into a bespoke storage unit. With multiple purposes across many industries. For example, self-storage companies or engineering companies for members of staff to lock tools away when not in use. The unit was split evenly into 8 small rooms approximately 5ftx4ft each by steel partition walls for security. Each room withContinue reading “20ft Multi-Bay Unit”

10ft Generator Housing Container
10ft Generator Housing Container

10ft container conversion for an off-grid company custom built to house a very large generator. The customer wanted a unit with multiple apertures and louver vents to allow for ventilation, they wanted all openings to have cover hoods to help stop water coming in. The Universal CAD team had a meeting with the client toContinue reading “10ft Generator Housing Container”

40ft × 12ft Truck Stop Shower Unit Site Accommodation
40ft × 12ft Truck Stop Shower Unit

This 40ft x 12ft custom built flat panel cabin was a container conversion project completed for Eddie Stobart’s site.

Are Shipping Containers the Solution to Homelessness? Site Accommodation
Are Shipping Containers the Solution to Homelessness?

Within today’s economic climate, many of us face struggles surrounding our finances.

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