‘I spent £2,000 and my blood, sweat and tears building a ski chalet-inspired masterpiece – but was beaten in Shed of The Year to something basic and underwhelming’

The Shed of the Year contestants, who invested considerable time and money into their projects, have expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome as a ‘basic’ budget DIY shed emerged as the winner. Archie Proudfoot’s creation, known as ‘Frankenshed,’ secured the top position according to the judges of the competition organized by Cuprinol, which includes a £1000 cash prize. Proudfoot’s small colorful workspace, constructed from recycled timber, impressed the judges with its aesthetic details and technicolour transformation. However, some fellow contestants believe that their efforts far surpassed the simplicity of Proudfoot’s shed. Alex Dodman, another passionate shed enthusiast, spent four months and £2000 crafting his entry, a remarkable Alps-style ski chalet, which he initially transformed from a disused gym in his garden. Despite his dedication and creativity, Dodman did not secure the top spot. He expressed disappointment and stated that he considered other sheds, like Ben Hillman’s design, to be more deserving of the win. Dodman and Hillman’s sheds were built from scratch, which Dodman considered a significant criterion for evaluating the entries. Hillman’s polycarbonate shed, dubbed Tangerine Dream, featured innovative architectural design and was inspired by 1980s cinema and a California mid-century office space. Despite not winning the competition, Dodman remains content with the recognition his pub shed received as the public’s favorite in its category. Tim Griffiths, another contestant who constructed the Smuggler’s Notch pub shed, also shared his reservations about the judges’ decision. Griffiths believed that his shed, which won the public vote, did not align with the traditional shed look that the judges and sponsors seemed to favor. He acknowledged that shed competitions are subjective and that different judges might have yielded a different outcome. Griffiths spent around £5,000 creating his garden pub, utilizing reclaimed materials for the majority of the structure. He expressed satisfaction with the final result and highlighted the importance of preserving the concept of pubs through such innovative projects. Despite the varied opinions and outcomes, these shed enthusiasts demonstrated their passion for creativity and craftsmanship in their unique designs.