Portsmouth Royal Navy veteran 'chuffed to bits' as DIY man-cave crowned Britain's best pub shed

John Simmons, 50, started creating his back garden boozer – The Dog & Ball – in Horndean last year. His creation, featuring its own dart board, fairy lights, beer garden and decking area, has been crowned Britain's Pub Shed of the Year.

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Mr Simmons, of Portsmouth, said: ‘It has all been rather overwhelming, but I am chuffed to bits. We had 18 friends over to celebrate the final and it was fantastic to find out I won – I was really thrilled.

‘I started building it last year and wanted to have it completed this summer for my 50th birthday. Sourcing the reclaimed material took the biggest chunk of time. I am an avid DIY-er and love a project.’

The miniature pub was created from recycled parts from salvage yards and a pub shed enthusiasts Facebook page. The dad-of-three sourced, cut, sanded and fixed every timber and fitting himself, beating more than 1,000 entries to be named the owner of Britain's best Pub Shed 2022 last Saturday.

Mr Simmons, who spent 22 years in the Royal Navy, said he wanted to have a 'haven at home' he could enjoy that was cheaper than the pub. He added the project cost four figures but could have been more without recycled materials.

Wife Anita, 49, gave the pub its finishing touches. It's named after their Labradoodle Bertie, aged seven – and the pair enjoyed celebrating with kids Libby, 23, Jacob, 19, and Evie, 12.

Mr Simmons added: ‘It’s somewhere I can go and enjoy being with my friends and family, which was really the whole purpose. My favourite part is the main oak beams.

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‘They are from an old dockyard building that I used to work in years ago before it was demolished.’ It is believed over two million back garden pubs are operating in Britain.

Ashley Turner, owner Two Fat Blokes Bar Signs, which runs the competition alongside the Garden Shed Pubs & Nightclubs Facebook page, said: ‘The quality of bars and diversity of the entries has been phenomenal. The Dog & Ball is a perfect example of an amazing pub shed and deserved to win with his amazing hand-built pub.’