The demand for small move and Man and Van services has seen a significant rise in the early months of 2024, according to new data from Compare My Move. The report indicates a 41.3% increase in people searching for Man and Van services across the UK between December 2023 and February 2024. This surge coincides with a revival in the UK property market, where house prices have continued to rise for five consecutive months.
As the property market recovers from a turbulent 2023, more people are seeking conveyancing solicitors, and there is a notable uptick in moving activity. This raises the question: is 2024 the right time to start a Man and Van business?
Man and Van Services: A Growing Necessity
Man and Van businesses cater primarily to those moving small quantities of items over short distances. These services are typically more affordable than larger removal companies, making them ideal for city dwellers moving between apartments or smaller properties. The recent increase in demand suggests that more people are opting for these convenient, cost-effective solutions.
In 2023, nearly half (47.7%) of all movers in the UK’s major cities remained within the city limits, underscoring the need for localised moving services. London, the UK’s largest city, saw 51.8% of its movers staying within the capital, while other cities such as Sheffield (53.8%) and Glasgow (51.7%) also reported high mover retention rates.
City Movers: Staying Close to Home
The table below highlights mover retention rates across several major UK cities:
|
City |
Population |
Mover Retention Percentage |
|
Sheffield |
685,368 |
53.8% |
|
London |
7,556,900 |
51.8% |
|
Glasgow |
591,620 |
51.7% |
|
Liverpool |
864,122 |
49% |
|
Bristol |
617,280 |
48.5% |
|
Swansea |
300,352 |
48.5% |
|
Nottingham |
729,977 |
47% |
|
Edinburgh |
464,990 |
43.7% |
|
Leeds |
455,123 |
42.9% |
|
Cardiff |
447,287 |
42.3% |
|
Sunderland |
335,415 |
42.2% |
|
Birmingham |
984,333 |
38.6% |
|
Coventry |
359,262 |
38% |
|
Leicester |
508,916 |
35.5% |
|
Stoke-On-Trent |
372,775 |
34.2% |
|
Preston |
313,332 |
33.2% |
|
Newport |
306,844 |
32.9% |
|
Manchester |
395,515 |
31.8% |
|
Total |
16,289,411 |
47.7% |
With such high retention rates, it is clear that many city residents are moving only short distances—often just a few miles. This trend plays directly into the strengths of Man and Van businesses, which specialise in short distance moves that do not require the services of a full-scale removal company.
Moreover, the size of the properties being moved from also influences the choice of moving service. In 2023, 41.2% of Compare My Move users were residents of bungalows or apartments, and over half (51.5%) lived in one- or two-bedroom properties. These smaller moves are perfectly suited for Man and Van services, which can handle the lighter loads and shorter distances typically associated with these types of properties.
The Outlook for 2024
The outlook for Man and Van services in 2024 appears promising. Dave Sayce, Managing Director and Founder of Compare My Move, highlights the continued growth in demand: “On average, people looking for small move companies or Man and Van companies have increased considerably in both January and February from the final month of 2023.”
Sayce also points to favourable market conditions, noting that house prices are rising year-on-year, and changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates in April 2024 are likely to incentivise more property sales. The reduction in CGT from 28% to 24% for residential property sales will make selling more attractive, which in turn will drive up the number of people moving.
With the ongoing trend of urban movers staying within their cities, the need for Man and Van services is expected to remain strong. As the property market continues to recover and more people move homes, the demand for these services will likely grow, making 2024 a potentially lucrative year for those in the small move industry.
