The Dorset Sheds Story
Dorset Sheds began life in the front garden of the family home back in 1997. I really wanted to work for myself and after looking at my brothers’ garden shed, decided, “I can do that” so I did. Needless to say it was a slow start. Luckily I had a very understanding family, backing my career change 100%. Which was very much proven when the weather was bad and I had a deadl
ine to meet, it wasn’t unusual for me to roll back the lounge carpet and make the sheds indoors. My eldest son worked with me initially, earning his pocket money after school and on the weekends. Once established and reputation had begun to build through the recommendation of satisfied customers, Dorset Sheds moved to its first commercial premises. My son had left school by now and although training to become a fully qualified carpenter, we worked together to help build the business up. Expansion came within the first year and we were able to move to our first unit early in 1998. The first workshop was in Canford Bottom in a building which wasn’t dissimilar to an old Anderson Shelter. As the months past, the knowledge and ability of Dorset Sheds surpassed my hopes and working with my son made me a very proud man. The new premises gave us the ability to grow and expand the ever increasing popularity of Dorset Sheds products. I was able to employ two other men and business just blossomed. In 2002 we moved to our present location. There was now three staff, my youngest son had now joined us. It really was now a family Business that I was very proud of. In October of that year disaster struck!! There was a huge fire, we lost everything. The whole workshop was gutted and all the tools burned. All of the stock was lost and any orders already completed were gone! The fire was in the evening of Wednesday 23rd October 2002. We could have been ruined and most certainly would have been if it wasn’t for the help of all of our suppliers and my family and friends. That evening I did not sleep. I made a list of everything we lost, both tooling and wood supplies. First thing on the Thursday I rang all my suppliers and told them what had happened. All of them, without exception gave me the credit I needed to replenish my stock and tools. Most stock was with me by the end of the following day. My boys and I and a close family friend began the task of building a temporary workshop, which we erected in the car park. The base was laid and the floor made by end of play Friday. By Saturday lunch time the walls were constructed and the roof went on by late Saturday afternoon. By Sunday afternoon, the jigs for making the Sheds were made and any finishing touches completed. We were back in business by Monday morning. By Thursday all the orders that were already completed but lost in the fire were ready to go. The first two left the yard in the morning. That really was a phenomenal accomplishment. When I tell the tale even now it is quite an emotional story. Without the help from family and friends, I really wouldn’t be here today. All of the efforts were not without reward….Dorset Sheds took a couple of years to recover from this massive setback…but here we are still thriving. We are still very proud to be a small local Business surviving in the community here in Wimborne, Dorset.
