Cliftonwood shed nominated for national award

Picture a shed, and you’re probably thinking of a dark little shack full to the brim with dusty tools, rather than a homely little abode. But, nestled in amongst the colourful houses of Cliftonwood, tucked away in a garden with plants winding up the bright yellow walls of the shed making it feel like a secret cove, Shed and Breakfast is just that.

Complete with a super king-sized bed and kitchenette, the business owned by Daisy and Jon Bass has gained national attention after it was nominated for a Cuprinol Shed of the Year Award.

Before renting it out to guests, Daisy and Jon stayed in the shed themselves. “We lived in it when we renovated the house,” Daisy explains. “We wanted to live on site because there was a lot of work to do and it made sense financially to not rent somewhere else. We designed it with Warwick Buildings and they came and put it up in six hours.

“We stayed there for nearly two years while we built the house and then when we had Indy, our son, we used it as a place for family to stay so they could escape the noise of the baby.

“Loads of our friends were staying here and said it was really nice, so we thought we could try and set it up as AirBnB, and I was able to make some money as well as be with Indy.”

Daisy Bass and husband Jon lived in the shed while they were renovating their Cliftonwood home

“Bristol is such a creative city but there aren’t that many creative places to stay and I think that’s one of the main reasons it’s popular,” Daisy says. “Also, everybody who comes to stay with us is really made to feel part of the family. The origin of AirBnB is that you’re in someone’s home and not going somewhere sterile or that feels like a hotel.”

The shed has attracted a variety of guests, including a graffiti artist during Upfest as well as a woman who stayed for a week to write a play that went on to win awards at the Edinburgh Fringe.

“We’ve had a proposal and loads of first wedding nights. The people that come are generally between 20 and 35 and on the whole, they’re Bristol University or UWE students who want to come back and show their partner.”

The shed as drawn by one of their AirBnB guests

Shed and Breakfast is one of the 18 nominees for the Cuprinol Shed of the Year award, and faces competition from proud shed owners up and down the country. If it wins, Daisy and Jon will receive £1,000 in prize money, half of which the couple plan to use to redo the kitchenette, and the other half which they will donate to Nightstop, a charity for homeless young people that the couple works with by hosting anyone in need.

Nightstop is a nationwide charity that started in Leeds in 1987 and now has a network in 30 different cities. It provides security to young people who are forced to leave their home by placing them in community hosting.

“It’s a really cool thing to do!” Daisy exclaims “There’s quite a big youth homelessness issue in Bristol and there are a lot of kids who are unsure how to navigate their lives. When a young person can’t get somewhere to live they can go to Nightstop and they can be temporarily homed.

“They can stay with Nightstop for a few nights but it’s certainly not long-term, so they come here and have a hot meal and then stay the night. They can use the facilities like the bath and then in the morning they have breakfast and go. The charity works with them and other services in the city to try and work out a longer-term solution.”

Voting closes for the Cuprinol Shed of the Year on August 28 2018. To cast your vote, visit www.readersheds.co.uk. For more information about the work of Nightstop, visit www.nightstop.org.uk.