Express & Star

From garden shed to vintage tearoom

For most people, the garden shed is a space to keep tools and equipment locked away to keep them safe.

Published
Former Shed of the Year runner up Steve Worrallo from Mosswood Street, Cannock, who has now built a 'Tea for Two' shed, complete with a vast collection of mugs and cups

But for Steve Worrallo it means much more than that.

The father-of-two, from Mosswood Street in Cannock, spent years turning the shed in his back garden into a pub, which he calls the 'Tudor House' and he finished runner-up in the Shed of the Year competition in 2016.

But second place wasn't enough for the 66-year-old former foundry worker, who has transformed a second shed next to it into a charming tearoom.

Aptly named Tea For Two, he spent the whole of winter renovating the shed, in hope of bringing home the coveted title of Shed of the Year 2017.

He said: "I've done it off my own back. Last year I finished runner-up but I want to go again, I want to bring it home.

"After the competition last year, when I came home I was disappointed because I didn't win. People spend tens of thousands on their sheds but I've built my up on my own from scratch for hardly anything.

"People spend that much money on having them done and its wrong. I get all the pots and saucers from charity shops and use whatever I can get my hands on. I hate to see wood in skips being thrown away I think its disgusting; bring it to my house I'll use.

"I've worked hard for this and I think I deserve it."

Mr Warrallo's sheds are painted to look like vintage Tudor buildings and the inside of the tea room is filled with hundreds of pottery, cups, mugs and saucers.

The tearoom will be entered into the Unique category, as opposed to the pub which went up against similar watering holes in the Pub and Entertainment section.

He says both Tea for Two and Tudor House are his pride and joy and is confident of winning the accolade in the summer.

"I worked on it all through the summer and my fingers are starting hurt after banging the nails so much, said Steve.

"I'm really chuffed with it. Its my hobby, I'm a full-time sheddy I can't help it. I occasionally bring my mates in but don't hold big parties. I just love doing it."

Steve was never a carpenter by trade but was always into the skill when he was a teenager.

The pub features a full bar including eight pumps, stools, records glued to the ceiling and even a decorative disco mirror ball.