TV and radio presenter Vernon Kay has welcomed a new Garrison Plus 3 garden workshop from Asgard, a Secured by Design product that has achieved the Police Preferred Specification. Manufactured at Asgard’s Yorkshire factory, the secure metal garden shed was delivered and professionally installed at Vernon’s home.

Vernon was looking for a large, practical garden shed that offered plenty of usable space without compromising on security. Fortunately, this is what Asgard's Secured by Design products are made for.

Watch Now: We Installed a Massive Secure Garden Shed for Vernon Kay

Who is Vernon Kay?

Bolton-born Vernon Kay has worked across British television and radio for more than two decades. Many viewers will remember him from Channel 4’s T4 and programmes including All Star Family Fortunes, while radio listeners will know him as a presenter on BBC Radio 2.

His lively, down-to-earth presenting style was very much on display as he introduced his new garden workshop.

After a light-hearted reference to actor Ewan McGregor’s Asgard motorcycle shed, Vernon described his larger Garrison workshop as the “perfect man shed”.

Building the garden workshop

The Garrison Plus 3 is a substantial garden building, and professional installation is included as standard. Asgard’s trained installation team delivered and unloaded the components before assembling the structure on a solid, level and suitably prepared base.

According to Vernon, the complete installation took the team between four and five hours.

A suitable base is an important consideration when installing any large garden shed or workshop. In addition to supporting the structure, a solid and level base allows the building to be securely anchored to the ground.

Vernon’s first reaction

The amount of usable space was one of the first things to catch Vernon’s attention. Standing inside the empty garden workshop, he said he planned to fit “a lot of stuff” inside.

A larger garden workshop gives owners the flexibility to organise the interior around their needs. Depending on the items being stored, this could include tools, garden equipment, workbenches, hobby materials, bicycles and other bulky outdoor equipment.

The Garrison Plus 3 also includes electrical mounting plates, providing designated positions where power can be installed. Electrical sockets and wiring aren’t supplied with the workshop and should be fitted by a suitably qualified professional.

Why garden shed security matters

While Vernon was impressed by the size of his new workshop, security was the feature he repeatedly highlighted during his tour.

Sheds and other outbuildings can contain valuable tools, bicycles and garden equipment. They should therefore be treated as an important part of a property’s overall security rather than as an afterthought. Secured by Design recommends firmly anchoring sheds to the ground and taking steps to secure tools and other valuable equipment stored inside.

The Garrison Plus 3 is constructed from reinforced galvanised steel panels and has an integral metal floor that can be secured to a suitable solid base. Its reinforced double doors are fitted with a five-point locking system. The euro-cylinder lock is rated to EN 1303 and is designed to resist picking and drilling.

The complete garden workshop has achieved Secured by Design’s Police Preferred Specification. Asgard also lists the product as certified to LPCB Level 1 and tested and approved by the UK Locksmiths Association.

Understanding Police Preferred Specification

Secured by Design is the national police crime prevention initiative. Products awarded Police Preferred Specification have met recognised security standards and demonstrated their resistance to criminal attack.

It is important to check the accreditation of the complete product when choosing a secure garden shed. A building shouldn’t be described as Police Preferred Specification simply because it uses an independently approved lock or another individual security component.

Accreditation of the complete garden workshop provides buyers with clearer information about the level of security testing the product has undergone.

A spacious and secure workshop

From the efficient installation to the finished door alignment, available space and security features, Vernon was clearly pleased with his new garden workshop.

The completed installation demonstrates how a large garden workshop can provide useful additional space while incorporating independently tested security into the complete structure.

Find out more about the Garrison Plus 3 and Asgard’s range of Secured by Design accredited secure storage products, or check out their dedicated SBD member page.