Shopping Around | RETAIL
Kitchencraft & Kingston Bathrooms High Street, Kingston
Showroom: Service: Total
4 3
7/10
This was a pretty-looking showroom with a Tudor-style frontage, but unfortunately the door was firmly closed when I arrived at 11am. With no opening times on the door, and no one in the showroom, I phoned their neighbouring branch in Surbiton, who were extremely helpful and was told the designer would be there at 11.30. I returned and was greeted warmly and given an efficient run- down on what was on offer. A clean and tidy showroom with
more traditional kitchen displays along one side and bathroom set-ups on the
Richmond Kitchens Richmond Road, Kingston
Showroom: Service: Total
5 5
10/10
impressive Leicht kitchen displays and a massive central island in the middle of the showroom. It was a beautiful light and airy space and the displays made the most of the high ceilings. I was very well looked-after by the designer, Matt, who made me feel at ease as soon as I walked in with his friendly manner.
He was extremely knowledgeable about all the kitchens, giving me plenty of clever ideas of how to mix and match styles within a budget, explaining all aspects of what they could offer me in terms of design options.
This showroom was in a more peaceful setting on the road out of Kingston to Richmond, positioned
at the end of an
upmarket shopping parade. It had been open for two years and looked immaculate. Although they were still refurbishing at the very back of the showroom, I didn’t notice, as my attention was kept on the two
He insisted on giving me a live demonstration of the latest Bora extractor hob, illustrating his depth of knowledge across all their appliances on offer.
I came away brimming with ideas and felt confident they would be happy to work to most budgets and come up with a unique kitchen scheme.
l A modern approach to kitchen design
other, stacked high with an array of brochures to flick through.
Sadly this showroom didn’t quite deliver as I hoped it might in this busy shopping area of Kingston.
l A good selection of worktops
Simple Interiors Old London Road, Kingston
Showroom: Service: Total
4 2
6/10
This showroom was tucked away on the Old London Road, among an eclectic mix of shops within easy walking distance of the main shopping area of Kingston. It was difficult to see what was on offer from the window displays, but there was a handy column of signage outside, listing their appliances. I was greeted with a simple hello from a designer at the back of the showroom and then she continued to talk to three other designers, who I assumed were planning a project. Then, to my surprise, she walked passed me and left the showroom. I continued to look around and when I reached the bathroom section, a rather nervous designer said to let him know if I needed anything and
then continued with his work. The showroom itself was well laid- out, and aimed at the mid to high-end, with a sage green and black-handled kitchen that I particularly liked. The designers obviously have a great eye and the layouts were fresh and contemporary, but maybe I caught the team on a bad day.
l Classy showroom, but disappointing service
Winner’s profile: Richmond Kitchens, Kingston
It was the outstanding branch of service in
this Kingston [there is a second in Richmond]
Richmond
Kitchens, along with a refreshing and modern showroom design, that makes this one a winner for me. Matt the designer was obviously passionate about what was on offer and
this shone through in his manner and knowledge of everything from the design of the showroom to the internal workings of the units. He had a soft-sell approach, allowing me to ask a lot of questions without feeling the pressure to actually commit to a sale.
The design of the showroom itself was a great example of how to engage and inspire a wide range of customers that are looking for kitchen ideas that will complement their style of modern open-plan living.
Shopping Around winners from 2019 will automatically make the short-list for our Customer Service categories at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2020.
kbbreview.com/awards for more details.
December 2019 · kbbreview
65
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