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BRITAIN’S SHEDDIES ARE SECRET HOARDERS

 

Ex-husbands’ possessions, retro cassette tapes and World War 2 gas masks are just some of the bizarre items that Brits are guilty of hoarding in their garden sheds, according to the annual Shed’onomic report. 

The new research released by Cuprinol reveals that the garden shed is worth over £8billion to the British economy, with over 21million people in the UK now owning a shed. The research forms part of the annual Shed’onomic report – an in-depth study of the nation’s shed behaviour, to mark the start of the annual ‘Shed of the Year’ competition, sponsored by Cuprinol.

 

The report also found that ‘Sheddies’ will spend nearly a year in their sheds during their life, but that nearly three quarters of Brits (71 per cent) are hoarding useless items in sheds, with nearly a third (32 per cent) admitting their shed is so messy they can barely get through the door!

Whilst the latest Shed’onomic figures certainly supports the notion of Britain being a nation of shed lovers, it seems shed neglect is a problem sweeping the nation and endangering our garden staple. 

Given this, Cuprinol is urging sheddies to clear out the junk and cheer up their sheds in to a garden sanctuary and enter it in the Shed of the Year competition.  The best sheds of this year will also feature in the second series of ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’, produced by Plum Pictures, airing on Channel 4 in the summer.  Following its success last year, this year’s show will feature an extra episode.

 

However, it’s not all junk that we are storing, the shed has really become an extension of the home with the average shed-owner filling their shed with contents worth over £458.00.

32 per cent of Brits also have electricity, 41 per cent have heating and lighting in their shed allowing them to house expensive game consoles (6 per cent), TVs (7 per cent), a sofa (5 per cent) and 3 per cent even have a sunbed.

And it’s no wonder we’re investing time and money in our sheds, as 5 per cent of Brits admit to using it to partake in sexual activities, while 12 per cent of Brits use their shed to get away from their partner and 9 per cent revealed it’s the preferred place to make secret phone calls (9 per cent).  Most Brits, 30 per cent, will also use the shed to hide items from their partner, including things like presents. 

Jane Yelloly, Cuprinol Senior Brand Manager, comments: “It’s clear from this year’s report that the nation are still fanatical about their sheds.  Both ownership and value figures are up on last year, which is great for the annual Shed of the Year competition, which keeps growing in popularity year on year.  We really do hope it will inspire those who are hoarding useless items to clear out their sheds and show them some love.

“Whatever you use your shed for, the annual Shed of the Year competition celebrates the best of British sheds and Cuprinol are proud to be the official sponsors for the fourth year running. If you think your shed deserves the worthy title, make sure you enter via www.readersheds.co.uk from now until 7th April.”

The shed of the Year competition, is the brainchild of shed-fanatic Uncle Wilco, who launched the nationwide competition nine years ago to celebrate the best of British sheds.

Andrew Wilcox (Uncle Wilco) said: “Since launching the competition I’ve certainly seen a trend towards people viewing their garden shed as an extension of the home.  We’ve had some brilliant winners over the past few years, from a Roman Temple shed and Pirate shed, to pub and music themed sheds.  With the TV series launching last year it’s great to see the great British shed getting the recognition it deserves.”

Last year’s winner was Joel Bird from London for his Allotment Roof Shed – Built from scratch using recycled materials and used to grow an array of vegetables. Eco-friendly lights, powered by a solar panel, are used to light the inside and when winter sets in, a wood burner keeps the fire alive and heats the shed without the need of a gas supply or radiator – proving its eco-friendly credentials.

Top five useless items kept in sheds:

1.            Old tools (77 per cent)

2.            Rusty bikes (39 per cent)

3.            Old house furniture (34 per cent)

4.            Broken deck chairs (34 per cent)

5.            Old sports gear (33 per cent)

Most unusual items people admitted to having in their sheds:

1.            Ex-husbands’ old possessions

2.            Mannequins

3.            Old bird food

4.            A stuffed owl

5.            Punctured paddling pools

6.            False teeth

7.            School memorabilia

8.            Hamster cages

9.            Cassette tapes

10.          Broken toilet seats

Key Regional shed habits:

•             People in Wales admit to having the messiest sheds, with 39 per cent admitting they can barely step through the door

•             The Welsh spend the most time in their sheds, an average of 120 hours a year, closely followed by Northern Irish folk, who spend an average of 119 hours a year.  Londoners are third, spending an average of 102 hours a year

•             19 per cent of those living in London claim that spending time in their shed lifts their mood compared to just 7 per cent of those who live in the East Midlands

•             13 per cent of those living in Wales have spent time in their shed to think about their relationship problems, compared to just 2 per cent of those who live in the North East

•             18 per cent of the Northern Irish have used their shed to make secret phone calls

•             Those in the North West are the friskiest, with 9 per cent admitting to using their sheds for sexual activities

•             The Northern Irish are still the biggest spenders purchasing the most expensive sheds (£402.32) and spend the most on doing up their shed (£119.82), compared to those in the East Midlands who spend the least at £198.31 per shed and only £63.75 doing it up

•             The Northern Irish spend the most on their sheds (£402.32), East Midlands spend the least (£198.31)

•             The Northern Irish are the most likely to hide cigarettes in their shed with 21 per cent confessing to do so

Scottish specific shed habits:

•             Scots hide the following items in their shed from their partner; cigarettes (9 per cent), love letters from an ex-partner (6 per cent), clothes shopping (5 per cent),

•             Scots are most likely to hoard old tools (75 per cent), rusty bikes (41 per cent) and old sports gear (30 per cent)

•             6 per cent of Scots would get married in their shed

•             The average shed, plus spend and contents of sheds in Scotland is £886.94

•             16 per cent of shed owners in Scotland spend time in their shed to rest and relax

Northern Ireland specific shed habits:

•             The Northern Irish are still the biggest spenders purchasing the most expensive sheds (£402.32) and spend the most on doing up their shed (£119.82), compared to those in the East Midlands who spend the least at £198.31 per shed and only £63.75 doing it up

•             The Northern Irish spend the most on their sheds (£402.32), East Midlands spend the least (£198.31)

•             18 per cent of the Northern Irish have used their shed to make secret phone calls

•             61 per cent of the Northern Irish think having a shed, or space for shed, is an important factor when buying a house

•             The Northern Irish are the most likely to hide cigarettes in their shed with 21 per cent confessing to do so

Wales specific shed habits:

•             People in Wales admit to having the messiest sheds, with 39 per cent admitting they can barely step through the door

•             The Welsh spend the most time in their sheds, an average of 120 hours a year, closely followed by Northern Irish folk, who spend an average of 119 hours a year.  Londoners are third, spending an average of 102 hours a year

•             13 per cent of those living in Wales have spent time in their shed to think about their relationship problems

•             The Welsh are the biggest DIY enthusiasts, with 38 per cent using their shed for DIY tasks

London specific shed habits:

•             Londoners are the biggest hoarders of family and pet ashes (5 per cent) and also old suitcases (26 per cent)

•             12 per cent of Londoners keep a TV in their shed compared to just 5 per cent of those who live in the North East

•             12 per cent of Londoners would rather spend time in their shed rather than with their partner, the highest total of any region in the UK

•             8 per cent of Londoners would rather spend time in their shed than have sex with their partner, again the highest total of any region in the UK

•             Londoners are the most likely to hide love letters from an ex-partner in their garden shed (12 per cent)