TV Expert Henry Cole Says Brits Have Hundreds Of Millions In Hidden Shed Treasures
Restoration presenter Henry Cole says garages and sheds across Britain are hiding what he believes could be hundreds of millions of pounds in forgotten valuables, a view shaped by visits to more than 1, 000 sheds and a new poll tied to his show.
Henry Cole On Hidden Automotive Treasures
Henry Cole points to concealed private collections that include hundreds of motors, scores of aircraft, tractors and motorbikes. He highlights that small items associated with motoring—car memorabilia, vintage oil cans and jugs—can be worth significant sums rather than being treated as throwaway clutter. Henry Cole said: “Where Brits go wrong is that a lot of things they’re holding onto are worthless, from bikes to mobility scooters to brown furniture and bathroom goods. But at the same time, there is millions of millions of pounds worth of automotive related items, and when I go into a shed I can very quickly sift through the rubbish and find the good stuff. “
Survey Finds Widespread Clutter With Possible Value
Research of 2, 000 adults found 65% have items in sheds they haven’t used in years, with an average value of more than £800. The poll identified the most common items left in sheds as garden equipment or tools (65%), DIY materials (58%) and old tools or machinery (43%). Attitudes toward keeping unused items are mixed: 59% said they hold on because something might be useful one day, 34% said items have sentimental value, and 48% confessed they would only be motivated to sell or discard unused belongings if they relocated.
Further findings show 14% would restore old bicycles from their garage or shed if they could, and 12% would rebuild or repair tools or machinery they own. Nearly half of participants (45%) reckon they likely have items of monetary value in their shed or garage that they don’t use, while 42% know others who could be sitting on unexpected wealth from unused household goods. A quarter admitted they have sold or thrown away something they now believe was valuable, and 31% had dismissed items as junk that may actually be worth more. Among respondents, 53% said they would rather pass possessions down to younger generations than sell them.
Examples Of Items That Can Command High Prices
Collectors’ examples highlighted include branded oil cans from names used in the mid-20th century. Branded examples such as Shell, Texaco and Pratt from the 1940s and 1950s can fetch around £2, 000 or more, with exceptional pieces selling for upwards of £3, 000. The guide also points to G Plan and mid-century furniture as examples of items that often look ordinary but can have market value when in good condition.
A spokesperson for BLAZE and the show Junk & Disorderly said: “Adults are far more likely to be sitting on hidden treasures than they realise, with sheds and garages often packed with items that could be worth serious money. We want to highlight just how easy it is to separate genuine gems from everyday clutter and how satisfying it can be to turn forgotten belongings into cash. It’s all about taking a second look before writing something off as junk. ” The series is on every Monday at 9: 00 pm ET.
The combined view from hands-on shed visits and the poll underscores a common theme: while much stored clutter is genuinely valueless, a meaningful share of households may be underestimating the worth of what they keep. The series aims to show owners how to spot and salvage those potential gems.
