news
Exclusive: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen kitchen deal still on despite KCM bust
DESPITE KCM Kitchens entering liquidation,
managing director Dale Williams has told kbbreview that his deal to produce Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s first-ever kitchen range will still be upheld. Llewelyn-Bowen (pictured) first announced his planned kitchen range in June, naming Exeter- based KCM as its manufacturer. At the time, KCM said it was looking to secure partnerships with independent retailers across the UK and aiming for a retail launch in Q4 of this year. However, after news broke that KCM had
entered liquidation at the end of September, it was unclear how the deal to produce the kitchens would go ahead after the company went under. However, speaking exclusively to kbbreview, Williams confirmed that the kitchens would still be manufactured. The Quintessential Kitchens range is now planned to be produced by a group of two to three well-established manufacturers, instead of by KCM, as originally planned. Williams said that his other business, KBB
Partnerships Ltd, owns the licensing rights to the kitchens — along with Llewelyn-Bowen — and will now instead oversee the range’s production by a network of UK and Ireland manufacturers.
Williams confirmed that he was in the final
stages of agreeing deals with several well- established manufacturers, but did not name the companies specifically. He has also said over 20 retailers have already
expressed interest in the Quintessential Kitchens range. He plans to have five to ten independent retail showrooms display the products in time for January 2025, when Laurence Llewelyn- Bowen will take part in a national roadshow to visit the retailers’ showrooms. KCM entered a
creditors voluntary liqui– dation (CVL) in September, with administrators Luke Venner and Malcolm Rhodes of Bishop Fleming appointed to oversee the process. Manufacturer KCM Kitchens is the sister
company of retailer Kettle Co Kitchens, which is also being liquidated. Kettle had four showrooms,
spread across the South West, In KCM Kitchens’ most recent accounts, filed up
to December 2022, the company said that its retail arm, Kettle, had “continued to operate profitably, on a similar level to previous years”. However, it admitted that KCM had “encountered significant losses”. 71 companies are listed as the
company’s creditors,
being owed a collective sum of more than £744,000. The biggest creditor is HMRC, which is owed over £219,000. Reflecting on KCM’s liquidation, Williams said: “Looking at my journey, going from setting up a market stall in Cornwall
on my own, to building a retail business with four retail stores and
a factory – perhaps I did take on too much at one time. But I don’t see what has happened as a failure.
It’s been a learning
experience, but you must dust yourself off and keep going.”
KBSA Designer Awards winners revealed
This year’s winners are: Kitchen Designer of the Year 2024 up to £25k – Francis Russell, from Callerton Kitchens and Interiors Kitchen Designer of the Year 2024 £25k - £50k – Hollie Clark, from Bauen Design Kitchen Designer of the Year 2024 Over £50k – Carissa Snelling-Doe, from Nicholas Anthony Services Ltd Kitchen Concept Designer of the Year 2024 – Lauren Goodbrand, from Kitchens International Bathroom Designer of the Year 2024 – Hazel Di Pasquale, from Bauen Design Bedroom Designer of the Year 2024 – Alistair Glover, from Alexander Young Designer of the Year 2024 – Andreya Ciampa, from Lima Kitchens
THE KITCHEN Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) has revealed the winners of its 2024 Designer Awards. The winners were officially announced by comedian Ronni Ancona during the KBSA Designer Awards dinner at the Belfry Hotel and Resort on October 9. The event also followed the annual KBSA Conference, which had been taking place at the same venue earlier in the day.
6
The KBSA commented: “The creativity and talent displayed across all entries were exceptional, making the selection process challenging. A big thank you and congratulations to all the designers who participated.” This year’s awards judging panel included Ainhoa Bilbao, kitchen designer at Bulthaup; Andrea Hillier, customer engagement lead at Blum UK; Dan Stronge, director at Jones Britain; and Keith Myers, director at The Myers Touch.
kbbreview November 2024
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
