Garden shed complete with a pub, fruit machines and 25ft Blackpool tower replica named Britain’s best
Guinness-drinker Doug Smith spent two years building the 24 sq ft back garden sanctuary O'Smithers - and another four years perfecting it
A SHED-pub with a fully stocked bar, fruit machine and a 25ft-tall replica Blackpool Tower has been named the best in the UK.
Guinness-drinker Doug Smith, 59, spent a total of six years perfecting his very own 24 sq ft pub — which can fit him and up to 33 sport-mad pals inside.
His Irish boozer O'Smithers is draped flags, rugby memorabilia, and authentic pub stools and tables.
It was built after a bet with a pal and sits next to Doug's swimming pool — which doubles as a ballroom dancefloor in winter.
But its main attraction is the steep red-and-white tower that can be seen from miles around from his five-bed detached home in Blackpool, Lancs.
Doug was over the moon when the shed at his seaside property was crowned the winner of the 'Pub/Entertainment' category in the Shed of the Year contest.
The dad-of-two said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the award, I was on holiday in Greece when I found out.
"I didn't build it for getting awards and have never done it for the fame game - but what is nice is for it to be to be recognised is fantastic - I'm chuffed."
The large replica of the world-famous tower was originally built during the Second World War.
Trainee welders crafted it as part of a project and it was bought by Blackpool tourist chiefs in the 70s.
It was taken to holiday trade shows ended up more than 350 miles away from its spiritual home in Cornwall for more than a decade.
But Doug rescued the rusty tower from the scrap-heap in 2013 — and it inspired him to create his pub mecca.
Doug, who lives at the sprawling property with new wife Caroline, stuck the refurbished mini landmark on top of his shed after two years of construction.
He added: "It was right rust bucket when I got it off a guy in Preston.
"The Blackpool tower holds a place in my heart because I worked on the Promenade for years and as I was started my shed project - I knew it would be the perfect centrepiece."
Retired sales manager Doug - who also won the online Pub Sheds UK competition earlier this year - started the build after a bet with a friend over a meal in 2009.
They challenged each other who can build the best garden bar — but his pal hasn't even started his yet.
O'Smithers provides a cosy sanctuary in winter but three of its walls can open up during warmer weather.
Doug added: "It's one of those things that never gets finished.
"We're always adding to it and we can get 34 people in it so far.
"Everybody loves it and can't believe how authentic it is — it definitely has got the wow factor."
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Following 2,900 entries and over 16,000 public votes, the 'Bee Eco-Shed' won the overall 11th annual Cuprinol Shed of the Year.
George Smallwood's shed contains a self-watering and self-sufficient space where vegetables, herbs, bugs, and bees can thrive.
Mr Smallwood said: "We hope our shed will inspire others around the UK to create spaces for wildlife in their gardens."
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