Choosing the right locker for your workplace shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. With so many types, materials, and sizes available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where we come in.
At PARRS, we’ve been helping businesses find the perfect storage solutions for over 139 years. As a UK’s leading supplier, we understand that every workplace has unique requirements, which is why we’ve created this step-by-step expert guide to help you make an informed, confident choice.
What you’ll find in this guide: This blog walks you through everything you need to know to pick the ideal locker for your business — from understanding the different types of lockers available and choosing the best materials, to measuring your space, selecting lock styles, and planning for delivery and future growth.
Whether you run a school, gym, warehouse, office, healthcare centre, or leisure facility, this guide will help you make a smart and stress-free purchase decision.
Step 1: Understand What Your Business Needs
The first step to finding the right locker is knowing who will use it, where it will go, and what it will store.
PARRS offers a wide selection of UK-manufactured lockers — from PARRS, PURE LOCKERS, and ELITE — each designed for specific industries and environments.
Standard Storage Lockers – The All-Rounders
Perfect for schools, offices, gyms, warehouses, healthcare settings, and public spaces, these lockers are built from robust steel to withstand daily wear and tear.
Who uses them:
- Pupils and teachers use PURE LOCKERS Coloured Steel Lockers or ELITE Primary School Lockers for books, coats, and sports kits.
- Gym members favour PURE LOCKERS Retro, ELITE Big-Volume, and PARRS Express Lockers to keep belongings safe during workouts.
- Office and healthcare staff rely on ELITE All-White or PARRS Stainless-Steel Lockers for laptops, uniforms, or personal items.
- Emergency personnel use PARRS Fire (red door), Police (blue door), and Ambulance (green door) lockers to keep vital kit secure and easy to identify.
You can also consider:
- ELITE Contract Lockers (300 or 450mm depth) – a great all-rounder finished in anti-bacterial paint with name/number plate holders, ideal for offices, schools, or gyms.
- ELITE Coloured Steel Lockers or ELITE Coloured Lockers with Sloping Top – vibrant, hygienic, and available in up to 8 compartments.
- PARRS Express Steel Lockers (300mm or 450mm depth) – certified with Reaction to Fire Classification EN-13501-1 and delivered within 5 days, ideal for workplaces needing lockers with tested fire resistance.
- PARRS Speedy Steel Lockers (300mm or 450mm depth) – BSI quality-assured with delivery in just 2 days for urgent projects.
Did you know? Most of our lockers come with a built-in anti-bacterial paint that helps stop bacteria and fungi spreading — and it lasts for the entire life of the locker’s finish.
Workwear & PPE Lockers – Keeping Things Hygienic
If your business involves uniforms or protective equipment, hygiene is key.
These lockers feature separate clean-and-dirty compartments, ventilated steel doors, and anti-bacterial coatings to maintain cleanliness.
Popular choices:
- PURE LOCKERS or ELITE Clean-and-Dirty Lockers for separating workwear and daywear.
- ELITE Steel PPE Lockers – each door labelled for PPE and fitted with name/number plate holders.
- ELITE Extra Space Workwear Locker or ELITE Extra Space Clothing & Equipment Locker – ideal for schools, warehouses, or sports facilities needing more storage.
- ELITE Garment Collector Locker, Garment Dispenser Locker, and Garment Service Locker – excellent for hotels, manufacturing plants, and laundry management.
Post-Box Lockers – Safe & Organised Mail Storage
Need a reliable way to manage mail?
Post-Box Lockers are great for apartment blocks, offices, schools, and hospitals, offering secure compartments for letters and small parcels.
Available in:
- PARRS Steel Post Box Lockers: 100 Series (small personal post), 140 Series (medium commercial mail), 240 Series (larger parcels).
Each unit includes individual cam locks, anti-bacterial powder coating, and optional card-holder slots for easy labelling.
Visual / Wire-Mesh Lockers – Airflow & Visibility
Sometimes you need secure storage with visibility and ventilation.
Wire-mesh lockers are ideal for construction sites, warehouses, retail spaces, and schools. Made with welded mesh on a sturdy frame, they keep belongings safe while allowing airflow — perfect for damp kit or equipment that needs airing.
Also consider:
- PARRS Mesh Personal Effects Lockers – available with or without doors, great for storing small valuables in industries like food and retail.
- PARRS Wire Mesh Multi-Compartment Locker – perfect for high-density storage with airflow.
Charging Lockers – Securely Powering Devices
In a world where technology powers the workplace, charging lockers are a smart investment.
They safely store and charge laptops, tablets, phones, or even power tools in ventilated, anti-bacterial steel compartments.
Top picks include:
- ELITE In-Charge Wall-Mounted Lockers for classroom tablets and phones.
- PARRS Laptop & Device Charging Lockers for schools and offices.
- Dual USB Charging Lockers with built-in USB-A/C ports.
- Tool-Charging Lockers – a lifesaver for workshops and construction sites.
For businesses that need to move devices between rooms — such as schools, training centres, or healthcare facilities — PARRS Charging Trolleys offer the ideal solution.
Our Charging Trolleys allow devices to be securely stored and charged with the flexibility of moving from room to room, fitted with braked castors for smooth mobility.
This ensures devices stay powered, protected, and easy to transport wherever they’re needed.
Sports & Leisure Lockers – Built for Busy Changing Rooms
For gyms, pools, leisure centres, and wet areas, you’ll want lockers that resist moisture and heavy use.
Choose from galvanised-steel lockers or laminate-door lockers (stylish, scratch-resistant, and perfect for humid environments).
You can also explore:
- PARRS Laminate Door Lockers for Wet Areas – durable, moisture-resistant doors in vibrant colours.
- ELITE Big Volume Coloured Steel Lockers with Sloping Top – ideal for bulky sports kits.
Personal-Effects & Cube Lockers – Compact & Versatile
If space is tight or you only need to store small valuables, uniforms, or devices, these lockers are a fantastic choice.
Highlights:
- PURE LOCKERS Z-Twin Steel Lockers save space with clever Z-shaped compartments.
- ELITE Wall-Mounted or Freestanding Personal-Effects Lockers – secure storage for valuables like phones and wallets.
- ELITE Steel Cube Lockers – modular, anti-bacterial, and available in different sizes.
- ELITE Quarto Steel Lockers – stackable units, perfect for schools and busy locker rooms.
Step 2: Choose the Right Material
The material you pick directly impacts strength, hygiene, longevity, and cost-effectiveness.
- Steel Sheet-Metal Lockers
- These are the most common and affordable option. Made from robust, powder-coated sheet steel, they’re lightweight, durable, and easy to clean — perfect for offices, schools, warehouses, and general use.
Best for indoor spaces where there’s no risk of excessive moisture.
- Stainless-Steel Lockers
- Stainless steel is non-porous, corrosion-resistant, and hygienic, making it the go-to choice for food production facilities, hospitals, laboratories, and wet areas such as swimming-pool changing rooms.
Worth the investment for environments that require frequent cleaning or exposure to water and chemicals.
Pro Tip: If your lockers will be near showers, pools, or high-humidity areas, stainless steel or laminate-door lockers will last much longer than standard steel and stay looking new with minimal upkeep.
Step 3: Pick the Right Door Style
Locker doors aren’t just about looks — they’re crucial for security, airflow, and practicality:
- Solid Steel Doors: The most affordable and secure option, ideal for most workplaces.
- Laminate Doors: A premium upgrade for high-traffic or humid environments like leisure centres and swimming pools. They’re scratch-resistant, waterproof, and available in attractive colours.
- Perforated Doors: Feature small ventilation holes that improve airflow and allow visibility — particularly useful for PPE storage, sports kits, or damp workwear.
- Wire-Mesh Doors or Doorless Mesh Frames: Provide maximum airflow and visibility. Mesh lockers are perfect for construction sites, warehouses, and sports clubs.
Pro Tip: For a busy gym or changing room, laminate or perforated doors keep lockers fresh, odour-free, and easy to clean. For industrial or outdoor settings, mesh or stainless-steel doors are more durable.
Step 4: Measure Your Space
A good fit is about more than just finding an empty wall. Proper measurements save time, money, and future headaches.
- Measure Floor Space: Measure width, depth, and height of the area you want to install lockers. Leave 5–10 cm clearance above for ventilation and cleaning.
- Plan for Foot Traffic: Ensure there’s enough room for doors to open fully and for people to move comfortably around the lockers.
- Consider Ceiling Height: Most lockers are 1,800 mm tall, but shorter or stacked units (e.g., 2–6 door lockers or cube lockers) are available for low ceilings or smaller spaces.
- Maximise Vertical Space: If floor space is limited, choose multi-door units (e.g., 4-, 6-, or 8-door lockers) or stackable cube/quarto lockers.
- Think About Future Growth: If you expect to hire more staff or expand operations, plan for extra lockers now to save on future refits.
Pro Tip: Use sloping tops and raised stands to prevent clutter, improve hygiene, and make cleaning around the lockers much easier.
Step 5: Select the Best Lock
Security is as important as storage. Choose the lock that suits your users:
- Cam Locks: Standard option with two keys per compartment.
- Hasp & Staple: For padlocks — perfect for schools and gyms.
- Combination Locks: Simple three-digit codes — no keys needed.
- Digital Combination Locks: Easy to programme with 40,000+ code combinations.
- Coin Return / Retain: Great for paid public lockers in leisure centres.
Step 6: Add Hygiene & Convenience Accessories
These finishing touches can enhance usability, extend the life of your lockers, and improve workplace cleanliness:
- Sloping Tops: Prevent staff from leaving bags or clutter on top of lockers and make cleaning faster by stopping dust build-up.
- Locker Stands: Lift lockers off the floor to protect them from damp or spills and make mopping underneath easier.
- Integrated Seats with Stands: Perfect for changing rooms or gyms, combining a locker stand with a bench seat for space-saving convenience.
Pro Tip: Adding the right accessories upfront can reduce maintenance costs and improve locker hygiene over the long term.
Step 7: Delivery, Guarantees & Value
When you choose PARRS, you’re guaranteed quality, reliability, and great value:
- All lockers are UK-manufactured.
- PURE LOCKERS come with a 10-year guarantee; other ranges have at least 3 years.
- Free UK delivery on orders over £150.
- Next-day delivery on selected in-stock items.
- Need lockers urgently? Choose Speedy Lockers (delivered in two days) or Express Lockers (five days).
- Bespoke lockers are available to suit your exact needs.
- Save more with quantity discounts — the more you buy, the more you save.
For expert advice, call our friendly Locker Specialists on 01527 585 777.
Locker-Buying Checklist
A quick checklist to keep you on track:
- Identify your locker purpose (e.g. standard, PPE, charging, sports).
- Select the right material (steel or stainless-steel).
- Choose the door style (steel, laminate, perforated, or mesh).
- Measure your space and compartments needed.
- Pick a lock type that suits your users.
- Add any hygiene or convenience accessories.
- Check delivery times, guarantees, and bulk discounts.
Why PARRS Is the Trusted Choice
When you purchase lockers from PARRS, you’re not just buying storage — you’re investing in:
- Decades of expertise and UK-manufactured quality.
- Products designed for security, hygiene, and durability.
- Flexible solutions for every industry and budget.
- Fast, reliable delivery and a friendly, knowledgeable team ready to help.
Whatever your sector — education, hospitality, healthcare, emergency services, or leisure — PARRS makes it simple to choose the right locker for your business with confidence and peace of mind.
Conclusion
Choosing the right locker doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these steps — identifying your needs, measuring your space, choosing the right material, lock, and accessories — you’ll be well on your way to finding a storage solution that’s practical, hygienic, and built to last.
With PARRS’s expert guidance, you can be confident your lockers will not only meet your current needs but will also grow with your business in the years ahead.
Ready to upgrade your workplace storage? Contact PARRS or explore our full locker range online today.
