Dubai Startup Launches Lego Rental Service to Ease Storage Challenges

A new service targeting Lego enthusiasts has been launched by a startup in Dubai, offering customers the ability to rent Lego sets, assemble them at home, and return them once finished. This initiative aims to tackle the growing problem of space occupied by large models in homes as the hobby gains popularity among adults.

The concept was developed by Brick Borrow UAE, a company established two months ago in Dubai by Steve Carter. After spending 25 years in the healthcare sector, Carter decided to turn his longstanding passion for Lego into a commercial venture.

Carter explained that his inspiration came after learning about a British company specializing in renting Lego sets. He quickly contacted the company to acquire the operating franchise for the UAE before launching the project from an office located in the Dubai Investment Park area.

The service operates on a subscription basis, allowing clients to borrow various Lego sets and build them at their own pace in their homes. Once completed, the sets are returned, alleviating the storage and clutter issues faced by collectors of large models.

According to Carter, the Lego market has undergone significant changes in recent years, with an increase in sets designed specifically for adults. He noted that the number of large models targeted at this demographic now exceeds 100, compared to a very limited number about 15 years ago.

He added that the challenge for many hobbyists is no longer just the purchase cost but also the accumulation of models inside their homes, especially as the manufacturer continues to release new editions continuously.

The rental service aims to shift the focus from owning the models to enjoying the building process itself. Carter described this experience as a way to provide a break from screens and the increasing daily pressures.

In an interview with The National, Carter mentioned that the initiative has also attracted families with children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents view the building and assembly activities as providing interactive and focused experiences beneficial for their children.

The company offers customers the option to pick up sets from its store in Dubai or have them delivered anywhere within the UAE for a fixed fee. After the building phase, the pieces are dismantled, cleaned, inspected, and prepared for redistribution to other subscribers.

Brick Borrow UAE is also exploring expansion through partnerships with schools and plans to introduce additional services, including dismantling complex models for customers, particularly the "Technic" sets, which are considered the most challenging to take apart.