Oldham shed entered for 'Shed of the Year' competition

In honour of the Great British shed, the Readersheds website celebrates "every conceivable style, shape and size" of shed across the country, from the traditional to the unconventional.

Since 2007, the site has encouraged likeminded "sheddies" to submit their own garden creations to be in with a chance of winning the title, Shed of the Year, as sponsored by Cuprinol. 

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Winners also get to bag a hefty £1,000 prize in cash and £250 worth of Cuprinol products.

Inside the shed's bar (Image: ReaderSheds)

A panel of judges then select an initial shortlist of sheds before it is gone to a public vote to find the category winners.

Categories include young sheddie of the year, most colourful shed, simple but effective, budget, unique, cabin/summerhouse, nature's haven, pub/entertainment and workshop/studio.

Applicants must detail the main material the shed is made out of and the cost of the shed and build, plus the location and a blurb about the shed features such as what makes it special.

This year, there is a contender from Oldham keen to take the crown in the 'simple but effective' category.

The Shed Inn, owned and created by sheddie, Mark Barker, cost more than £500 to build and is described as a 'roadhouse' style bar. 

Photographs of the shed show it is adorned with signage, from a Texas registration plate to Guinness signs.

It even has its own 'The Shed Inn' sign hanging outside.

The Shed Inn has a cosy seating area and TV (Image: ReaderSheds)

Inside, there is a Jack Daniel's bar equipped with stools, beer mats and beer taps, plus a beer barrel table, a sofa and TV area as well as wall hangings, neon lights, framed photographs and more signs and scarves decorating every inch of the walls, ceiling and doors.

Fairy lights also run across the roof.

Last year, the winner of the competition went to a Archie Proudfoot in London for his colourful  'Frankenshed' - a name he gave it after he brought it "back from the dead".

In 2022, the award went to a budget allotment shed, called The Potting Shed, created by Kelly Haworth in Lancashire. 

In 2021, Danielle Zarb-Cousin took the title for her Creme De Menthe 1970s-themed summer bar shed.

Entrants could submit their shed for the chance to win Shed of the Year 2024 up until May 31.

Though the competition is limited to the UK and Ireland, sheddies outside the UK can still apply for the title of 'International Shed of the Year'.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.