An Eastleigh couple have transformed their garden shed into a ‘working man’s pub’ kitted out with a bar, poker set, dark board and beer taps.
Kev and Gina Marchant, 55 and 54 respectively, only have to walk across the garden to get an ice cold pint of draught beer at their home on Monks Way in Eastleigh.
The couple host poker nights, birthday parties and get togethers with friends at their garden pub, known as ‘The Winchester’.
(Image: NQ) Both Kev and Gina grew up in the city of Winchester, where they both attended Westgate School, but the name is also linked with a well-known pop culture reference.
Many will know The Winchester as the iconic pub from the 2004 film, Shaun of the Dead, and it was during a similar world-changing event that Kev and Gina dreamt up the idea – during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kev said: "I remember my dad taking me into the local working men’s club – I have fond memories of that such as the cigar smoke and pints being poured.
(Image: NQ) "It was during December in 2020 that we started, and we had the place finished at the end of January 2021 – the bar we found was perfect and I travelled up to Havant after finding one on Gumtree.
"If there is two of you or a dozen - having a drink in here really brings that pub atmosphere to life."
The pair have made sure that everything inside has an authentic pub feel – the tables and chairs all came from pubs and the carpet also has an authentic public house design.
Kev added: “The bar cost me £1,500 but I was told it should have cost £16,000 – I was over the moon with that. All together we spent about £10,000 on the pub.”
(Image: NQ) “We have collected so much to go in the pub – from historical plaques and pictures such as a bullet from France during World War II, a picture of Saint’s iconic FA cup win and old ash trays. It is forever evolving."
Gina said: “I would have had a girly cocktail bar with pink flamingos, but I always knew Kev always had the pub idea in his mind.”
The couple have entered the Pub Shed of the Year 2024 Competition and out of 1088 entries, Kev and Gina have made it to the final three which has now gone to a public vote.
You can vote at www.pubshedoftheyear.co.uk.
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