Blog: As you will have read in newspapers both nationally and locally, pubs are closing faster than a binge-drinker downing a pint when he hears the words “last orders”.

Who is to blame? Some say it’s the pub companies for charging ridiculous amounts for the lease. Others blame the Government for hiking up the duty on a pint.

Richard Wilson behind the bar

But do you know who is really to blame? People who are too lazy to do any gardening. Yeah, you heard.

Once upon a time a shed was somewhere where you kept your tools, stored your barbecue and patio set for the 51-weeks-a-year it rains and stowed those mountain bikes you bought three years ago when you promised yourself you would do more cycling to keep-fit-and-save-the-planet-and-stuff.

Occasionally, they were a place you slept after a row with the other half. (No? Just me then).

But not now. Oh no siree, Bob.

Now sheds are the place you go when you fancy a swift half.

First there was Jamie Pearce from down the road in Shawbury with his “pub” the Three Lions (not a very shed-like name for a pub. Surely you can think of something better? The Coach and Hoes-es? The Hose and Crown? The Plough?)

Jamie Pearce inside his Shawbury pub shed

Then – I don’t beeeeelieve it, Richard Wilson (oh. Not that Richard Wilson) from Dorrington comes along reckoning his pub-shed is better.

Jamie’s “pub” cost £3,000 to convert and comes complete with beer taps, optics, a TV, a dartboard and a fruit machine (although a fruit and veg machine would’ve been more appropriate, surely?).

Richard’s boozer (Richard and Diana’s Private Pub? Come on man, you’re not even trying) has more than 200 different bottled drinks including 50 whiskies. He has a jukebox and a TV, but no gambling machine (probably because winning money off yourself is not much fun. A bit like nicking your own car. Not that I’m condoning grand theft auto, you understand).

Then came former Royal Navy serviceman Gary Taylor, who has made his garden shed in Horsehay, Telford, into a nautical-themed pub, called The Quarterdeck Bar. It contains his favourite memorabilia from 25 years in the Royal Navy.

Ex-Royal Navy serviceman Gary Taylor, from Horsehay, has converted his shed into a pub called the Quarterdeck Bar

I’ve got a sneaking suspicion there’s more of you out there, as well. Filling your sheds with bottles of Bumblethwacker and single malts while dandelions spread out from your undergrowth and threaten to take over the planet.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Go to the pub. Help the local economy.

I mean I’ve heard of going out and getting shedded, but really…

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