East Devon man transforms his garden shed into fully functioning pub

PUBLISHED: 12:17 16 April 2018 | UPDATED: 12:18 16 April 2018

Callum Lawton

Ben Rushton in his garden pub relaxing with his dog Scooby. Ref mhc 14 18TI 0948. Picture: Terry Ife

Archant

Ben Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0953. Picture: Terry Ife

Ben Rushton, who lives in Cranbrook, now enjoys kicking back with his mates in his ‘man cave’, which he has called the ‘Marmotte and Shark Garden Pub’.

It only took Ben three months to build the miniature tavern, which is kitted out with pub paraphernalia, including a signed Exeter FC football top.

The 28-year-old, who shares the pub with his partner Hannah and spaniel Scooby, said: “I saw the shed when we were first looking at houses, and thought it would be wicked to make a pub out of it. You do not often get the opportunity.

“I told Hannah ‘If we are buying this house, I am having the shed’ and that was that.”

Ben Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0957. Picture: Terry Ife

Aston Villa fan Ben tasked the help of his dad, who is a carpenter, and officially opened the tavern in November last year.

He said: “It did not cost a lot build - a lot of the furnishings were bought from Gumtree and Facebook sellers.”

He added: “My dad gave me all the wood as a moving-in present, and that is what would have been the most expensive.”

Ben revealed his expansion plans for the pub, which will see decking laid down outside of it to create a ‘beer garden’.

Ben Rushton in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0959. Picture: Terry Ife

The build wasn’t all plain sailing though.

Ben said: “The shed isn’t exactly square, so when I installed a new fridge it got stuck. I had to chisel some of the framework away so it would fit!

“The ceiling was also a nightmare, as the wood for it came in big sheets which are the width of the whole shed.

“We got there in the end.”

Ben Rushton pulling a pint in his garden pub . Ref mhc 14 18TI 0955. Picture: Terry Ife

And where did the unusual name come from?

Ben said: “I was a ski resort manager in Alpe d’Huez in France and the resort’s mascot is a marmot.

“While I was there, I also frequented a bar called Sharkeys, so I thought I would put the two names together.”