First quarter trading update

RNS Number : 5546Q
Safestore Holdings plc
21 February 2023
 


21 February 2023

 

Safestore Holdings plc

("Safestore", "the Company" or "the Group")


First quarter trading update for the period 1 November 2022 to 31 January 2023

 

Solid start to the 2023 financial year

 

Group Operating Performance

Q1 2023

Q1 20222

Change

Change- CER1

Revenue (£'m)

55.7

50.9

9.4%

8.4%

Closing Occupancy (let sq ft- million)3

6.095

5.708

6.8%

n/a

Closing Occupancy (% of MLA)

77.6%

80.8%

-3.2ppts

n/a

Maximum Lettable Area (MLA -million)4

7.850

7.070

11.0%

n/a

Average Storage Rate (£)

30.42

29.55

2.9%

2.0%

 

Group Operating Performance- like-for-like3

Q1 2023

Q1 20222

Change

Change- CER1

Revenue (£'m)

52.6

50.5

4.2%

3.4%

Closing Occupancy (let sq ft- million)4

5.545

5.687

-2.5%

n/a

Closing Occupancy (% of MLA)5

79.1%

81.5%

-2.4ppts

n/a

Average Occupancy (let sq ft- million)

5.574

5.710

-2.4%

n/a

Average Storage Rate (£)

31.60

29.58

6.8%

6.0%

 

Highlights

· Group revenue for the quarter in CER1 up 8.4% and 9.4% at actual exchange rates

· Like-for-like5 Group revenue for the quarter in CER1 up 3.4%

UK up 3.5%

Paris up 2.6%

Spain up 7.1%

· Like-for-like5 average rate for the quarter up 6.0% in CER1

UK up 7.2%

Paris up 1.0%

Spain up 8.5%

· Like-for-like5 occupancy at 79.1% (2022: 81.5%)

UK down 3.3ppts at 78.7% (2022: 82.0%)

Paris up 1.5ppts at 80.7% (2022 79.2%)

Spain down 4.9ppts at 80.8% (2022: 85.7%)

· As previously reported, Revolving Credit Facilities (RCF's) refinanced with a new increased £400m unsecured multi-currency four-year facility (with two one-year extension options) in November 2022. Margins remain at 1.25% in line with previous RCF's and all facilities, including private placement notes, are now unsecured.

· Group Property Pipeline of 1.5m sq ft representing c. 19% of the existing portfolio.

· Two new sites secured in Ellesmere Port in the UK and in Central Barcelona adding 69,700 sq ft of MLA.

· Edinburgh leasehold re-geared and freehold of Valencia store acquired in Barcelona.

· Acquisition of 58,000 sq ft existing storage facility in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.

· Entry into German market via a new Joint Venture ("JV") with Carlyle which has acquired the seven-store myStorage business with 326,000 sq ft of MLA4.

 

Frederic Vecchioli, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

 

"I am pleased to report that the solid early trading indicated in our January 2023 announcement has continued through to the end of our first quarter with the Group delivering like-for-like revenue growth of 4.2% and total revenue growth of 9.4% (3.4% and 8.4% respectively on a CER basis).

 

We have opened two new stores in the period in Spain, acquired an existing operation in the Netherlands and added two stores in the UK and Spain to our pipeline which, at 1.5m sq ft, now represents 19% of our existing portfolio's MLA. We anticipate the pipeline will continue to grow over the coming months. Our strong and flexible, recently refinanced balance sheet has significant funding capacity, allowing us to continue to consider and execute strategic, value-accretive investments as and when they arise.

 

Alongside our attractive development pipeline, we continue to prioritise the significant upside from filling our 1.8m square feet of fully invested, currently unlet space. The business has demonstrated its inherent resilience in recent times and we look to the future with confidence. The first quarter's trading performance has provided us with a solid base for the rest of the financial year and we anticipate that the business delivers Adjusted Diluted EPRA Earnings per Share7 for 2022/23 in line with the consensus of analysts' forecasts8".

 

Business Highlights

 

UK Trading Performance

UK Operating Performance

Q1 2023

Q1 20222

Change


Revenue (£'m)

41.6

39.9

4.3%


Closing Occupancy (let sq ft- million)3

4.410

4.536

-2.8%


Closing Occupancy (% of MLA)

78.4%

81.1%

-2.7ppts


Maximum Lettable Area (MLA- million)4

5.620

5.600

0.4%


Average Storage Rate (£)

30.45

28.41

7.2%


 

UK Operating Performance- like-for-like3

Q1 2023

Q1 20222

Change

 

Revenue (£'m)

40.9

39.5

3.5%


Closing Occupancy (let sq ft- million)4

4.358

4.515

-3.5%


Closing Occupancy (% of MLA)5

78.7%

82.0%

-3.3ppts


Average Occupancy (let sq ft- million)

4.384

4.538

-3.4%


Average Storage Rate (£)

30.48

28.43

7.2%

 

 

The UK performed solidly in the first quarter with total revenue up 4.3% and like-for-like revenue up 3.5%, driven by a continued strong average storage rate increase of 7.2%, offset by a reduction in average occupancy of 3.4%, where we have seen a return to a more normal cycle of trading in the current financial year. In the first quarter, as anticipated, we have seen an occupancy outflow as is typical for the period (which is our low season). The average storage rate grew sequentially by 2.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

 

As ever, the Group looks to find an appropriate balance of rate growth and occupancy performance in order to maximise revenue.

 

Enquiry levels for the first quarter, whilst slightly behind the same period in 2022, remained significantly ahead of the pre-pandemic period.

 

Paris Trading Performance

 

Paris Operating Performance- Total and like-for-like3

Q1 2023

Q1 20222

Change


Revenue (€'m)

12.47

12.15

2.6%


Closing Occupancy (let sq ft- million)3

1.099

1.079

1.9%


Closing Occupancy (% of MLA)

80.7%

79.2%

+1.5ppts


Average Occupancy (let sq ft- million)

1.102

1.080

2.0%


Maximum Lettable Area (MLA- million)4

1.360

1.360

-


Average Storage Rate (€)

41.26

40.84

1.0%


Revenue (£'m)

10.9

10.3

5.8%


 

Our Paris business had a solid quarter growing total revenue by 2.6% year-on-year.

 

Like-for-like occupancy performance was robust for the quarter with closing occupancy at 80.7%, up 1.5ppts compared to Q1 2022. As we return to a more normal cycle of trading in the current financial year, we have seen a modest occupancy outflow in the period as expected and which is typical for the first quarter (our low season).

 

The like-for-like average rate was up by 1.0%, and together with the increase in like-for-like occupancy, drove the like-for-like revenue growth of 2.6%.

 

The average storage rate grew sequentially by 0.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

 

Sterling equivalent like-for-like revenue was impacted by the 3.3% weakening in the Sterling: Euro exchange rate for the quarter compared to Q1 2022. As a result, sterling equivalent total and like-for-like revenue grew by 5.8% compared to Q1 2022.

 

Enquiry levels for the first quarter were slightly ahead of the same period in 2022 and significantly ahead of the pre-pandemic period.

 

Spain Trading Performance6

Spain Operating Performance

Q1 2023

Q1 20222

Change


Revenue (€'m)

0.95

0.85

11.8%


Closing Occupancy (let sq ft- million)3

0.096

0.093

3.2%


Closing Occupancy (% of MLA)

46.4%

85.7%

-39.3ppts


Maximum Lettable Area (MLA- million)4

0.210

0.110

90.9%


Average Storage Rate (€)

35.48

33.47

6.0%


Revenue (£'m)

0.8

0.7

14.3%


 

Spain Operating Performance- like-for-like3

Q1 2023

Q1 20222

Change

 

Revenue (€'m)

0.91

0.85

7.1%


Closing Occupancy (let sq ft- million)4

0.088

0.093

-5.4%


Closing Occupancy (% of MLA)5

80.8%

85.7%

-4.9%ppt


Average Occupancy (let sq ft- million)

0.088

0.092

-4.3%


Average Storage Rate (€)

36.30

33.47

8.5%


Revenue (£'m)

0.8

0.7

14.3%


 

In the quarter, our Spanish business saw a strong 11.8% and 7.1% growth in total and like-for-like revenue respectively.

 

The like-for-like average storage rate grew by 8.5% to €36.30 compared to €33.47 for Q1 2022. This rate grew sequentially by 3.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This increase in the like-for-like average rate, offset by a reduction in like-for-like average occupancy of 4.3%, drove the like-for-like revenue growth of 7.1%.

 

The reduction in total occupancy to 46.4% reflects the dilutive effect of the three recent store openings.

 

Sterling equivalent like-for-like revenue was impacted by the 3.3% weakening in the Sterling: Euro exchange rate for the quarter compared to Q1 2022. As a result, sterling equivalent total and like-for-like revenue grew by 14.3% compared to Q1 2022.

 

Following the acquisition of four stores in Barcelona just over three years ago, the business has already opened three new sites and has added a pipeline of seven stores across Barcelona and Madrid and we look with confidence to the continued expansion of the portfolio.

 

Benelux Trading Performance

 

Our Netherlands and Belgium businesses, acquired on 30 March 2022, contributed €2.7m revenue in the period.

 

The Benelux businesses grew revenue by 2.2% (excluding the newly acquired Apeldoorn site as set out below) compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 and the businesses ended the period with a combined closing occupancy of 74.2%.

 

The business was originally established in 2019 with the acquisition of six stores and was subsequently developed into a 16-store portfolio with a pipeline of five additional stores.

 

Refinancing

 

In November 2022, the Group completed the refinancing of its revolving credit facilities (RCFs) which were due to expire in June 2023.

 

The previous £250m sterling and €70m euro secured RCFs have been replaced with a single multi-currency unsecured £400m facility. In addition, a further £100m uncommitted accordion facility is incorporated into the facility agreement.

 

The facility is for a four-year term with two one-year extension options exercisable after the first and second years of the agreement.

 

Further detail is included in our Results Announcement of 17 January 2023.

 

Property Pipeline Developments

 

Openings in the period

 

Northern and Southern Madrid

 

In March 2021 and April 2021, the Group exchanged contracts on two freehold buildings in Southern Madrid and Northern Madrid, respectively. Both existing buildings have been converted into 32,000 and 53,000 sq ft MLA self storage facilities and were opened in November 2022.

 

New Development Sites

 

Ellesmere Port- UK

 

In Ellesmere Port in Northwest England we have secured a new freehold development site, located in an accessible position near junction 8 of the M53 on the affluent Wirral Peninsular. A 55,000 sq ft MLA new build store should open in late 2023.

 

Spain

 

A new leasehold site in Central Barcelona (Central Barcelona 3) has been acquired. The existing building will be converted into a 14,700 sq ft MLA store and is expected to open in 2023. The building has planning permission and the lease is 30 years in length.

 

Pipeline Summary

 

We are leveraging our effective and scalable operating platform to increase our expansion plans across both the UK and continental Europe. This approach has resulted in the largest development pipeline in our history. This pipeline of c. 1.5m sq ft represents c. 19% of our existing property portfolio.

 

In the first quarter of the 2023 financial year, c. £25m has been spent on the new store openings, the Valencia freehold acquisition, the acquisition of the Apeldoorn site in the Netherlands and the pipeline stores.

 

Opening 2023

FH/LH

Status*

MLA

Other

Redevelopments and Extensions

London- Crayford

LH

C, UC

9,400

Extension

Paris- Pyrenees

LH

C, UC

22,200

Extension

New Developments

London- Morden

FH

C, UC

52,000

New build

Wigan

FH

C, UC

42,700

Conversion

Ellesmere Port

FH

C, UC

55,000

New build

Paris- South Paris

FH

C, PG

55,000

New build

Paris- West 1

FH

CE, STP

56,000

New build

Paris- West 3

FH

CE, STP

58,000

New Build

Paris- East 1

FH

CE, STP

60,000

Conversion

Paris- North West 1

FH

CE, STP

54,000

Conversion

Eastern Madrid

FH

C, PG

50,000

Conversion

Northern Barcelona

FH

C, PG

42,000

Conversion

South Barcelona

FH

C, PG

30,600

Conversion

Central Barcelona 3

LH

C, UC

14,700

Conversion

Amersfoort- Netherlands

FH

C, UC

58,000

New build

Almere- Netherlands

FH

C, STP

44,500

Conversion

Opening 2024





Redevelopments and Extensions

New Developments

London- Paddington Park West

FH

C, PG

13,000

Conversion, Satellite

London- Lea Bridge

FH

C, PG

76,500

New build

London- Romford

FH

C, STP

41,000

New build

Shoreham

FH

CE, STP

54,000

New build

South West Madrid

FH

CE, STP

46,800

Conversion

Southern Madrid 2

FH

CE, STP

68,800

Conversion

Central Barcelona 2

LH

CE, STP

24,700

Conversion

Amsterdam- Netherlands

FH

CE, STP

61,400

New build

Aalsmeer- Netherlands

FH

CE, STP

48,400

New build

Rotterdam- Netherlands

FH

C, UC

71,000

New build

Opening 2025

New Developments

London- Woodford

FH

C, PG

76,000

New build

London- Walton

FH

C, STP

20,700

Conversion

Paris- La Défense

FH

C, PG

44,000

Mixed use facility

Opening Beyond 2025

New Developments

London- Old Kent Road

FH

C, STP

76,500

New build

London- Bermondsey

FH

C, STP

50,000

New build

Total Pipeline MLA (let sq ft- million)

c. 1.477

Total Outstanding CAPEX (£'m)

c. 141.0

*C = completed, CE = contracts exchanged, STP = subject to planning, PG = planning granted, UC = under construction

 

Lease Extension

 

During the period we have completed the extension of our lease at Edinburgh Fort Kinnaird store. The lease has been extended by a further 10 years to 2040.

 

Freehold Purchase

 

In Barcelona, the Group has been leasing its Valencia store since 2013. During the period, the freehold of the site was acquired for €3.6m.

 

Acquisition of Apeldoorn Self-Storage Facility in the Netherlands

 

During the period, the Group completed the acquisition of an existing 58,000 sq ft self storage facility in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. The store was operating under the Stoor brand and is situated in an easily accessible commercial and logistics district on the north side of the city, which has a population of 165,000.

 

New Joint Venture with Carlyle and Investment in myStorage in Germany

 

As announced in December 2022, Safestore has entered the German self storage market via a new Joint Venture with Carlyle, which has acquired the myStorage business.

 

Safestore has developed a multi-country highly scalable platform with leading marketing and operational expertise in self storage, with a proven track record for developing its platform in new markets.

 

The acquisition of myStorage represented an excellent opportunity to develop our platform into the attractive German self storage market. The Joint Venture builds upon our previous successful relationship with Carlyle having entered the Benelux market in 2019. Our common intention is to target development and acquisition opportunities through the Joint Venture, providing the opportunity to achieve operational scale and to develop local market knowledge, whilst also retaining the option for Safestore to develop its own wholly owned self storage sites in Germany. We look forward to continuing our working relationship with Carlyle, and to developing a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

 

The German market is one of Europe's more under-penetrated markets with just 0.09 sq ft of storage space per capita which compares to 0.76 sq ft in the UK, 0.24 sq ft in France, 0.24 sq ft in Spain, 0.60 sq ft in the Netherlands and 0.20 sq ft in Belgium. According to the 2022 FEDESSA report, there are just 320 facilities in Germany and 7.6m sq ft of lettable space.

 

myStorage has seven medium to long-term leasehold stores and 326,000 sq ft of MLA in Berlin, Heidelburg, Mannheim, Fürth, Nuremburg, Neu-Ulm, and Reutlingen.

 

On acquisition, the occupancy of the portfolio was 67% with two of the stores having opened in 2021.

 

Safestore's initial investment in the Joint Venture was a c. €2.2 million equity investment for a 10% share of the Joint Venture. Safestore will also earn a fee for providing management services to the Joint Venture. The Group expects to earn an initial return on investment of c. 15% for the first full year before transaction-related costs reflecting its share of expected joint venture profits and fees for management services.

 

Ends

 

1 - CER is Constant Exchange Rates (Euro denominated results for the current period have been retranslated at the exchange rate effective for the comparative period, in order to present the reported results on a more comparable basis).

2 - Q1 2022 is the quarter ended 31 January 2022.

3 - Occupancy excludes offices but includes bulk tenancy. As of 31 January 2023, closing occupancy includes 24,000 sq ft of bulk tenancy (31 January 2022: 14,000 sq ft).

4 - MLA is Maximum Lettable Area.

5 - Like-for-like information includes only those stores which have been open throughout both the current and prior financial years, with adjustments made to remove the impact of new and closed stores, as well as corporate transactions.

6 - The Spain business was acquired on 30 December 2019 with the four originally acquired stores now considered like-for-like.

7- Adjusted Diluted EPRA EPS is based on the European Public Real Estate Association's definition of Earnings and is defined as profit or loss for the period after tax but excluding corporate transaction costs, change in fair value of derivatives, gain/loss on investment properties and the associated tax impacts. The Company then makes further adjustments for the impact of exceptional items, IFRS 2 share-based payment charges, exceptional tax items and deferred tax charges. This adjusted earnings is divided by the diluted number of shares. The IFRS 2 cost is excluded as it is written back to distributable reserves and is a non-cash item (with the exception of the associated National Insurance element). Therefore, neither the Company's ability to distribute nor pay dividends are impacted (with the exception of the associated National Insurance element). The financial statements will disclose earnings on a statutory, EPRA and Adjusted Diluted EPRA basis and will provide a full reconciliation of the differences in the financial year in which any LTIP awards may vest.

8 - The analyst consensus for Adjusted Diluted EPRA EPS for the current financial year, based on the forecasts of thirteen analysts, is 49.5p. The thirteen analyst forecasts range from 45.3p to 54.0p

 

This announcement contains inside information.

 

Enquiries

 

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

· Safestore is the UK's largest self-storage group with 182 stores on 31 January 2023, comprising 130 wholly owned stores in the UK (including 72 in London and the South East with the remainder in key metropolitan areas such as Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, and Bristol), 29 wholly owned stores in the Paris region, 7 stores in Spain, 10 stores in the Netherlands and 6 stores in Belgium. In addition, the Group operates 7 stores in Germany under a Joint Venture agreement with Carlyle.

 

· Safestore operates more self-storage sites inside the M25 and in central Paris than any competitor providing more proximity to customers in the wealthiest and more densely populated UK and French markets.

 

· Safestore was founded in the UK in 1998. It acquired the French business "Une Pièce en Plus" ("UPP") in 2004 which was founded in 1998 by the current Safestore Group CEO Frederic Vecchioli.

 

· Safestore has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2007. It entered the FTSE 250 index in October 2015.

 

· The Group provides storage to around 90,000 personal and business customers.

 

· As of 31 January 2023, Safestore had a maximum lettable area ("MLA") of 7.852 million sq ft (excluding the expansion pipeline stores) of which 6.095 million sq ft was occupied.

 

· Safestore employs around 750 people in the UK, Paris, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

 

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