NEWS | Round-up
kbbreview Retail & Design Awards SOLD OUT in a week!
THE KBBREVIEW Retail & Design Awards 2021 event has sold out only a week after
it was
announced it would take place. The
event will be held on
Wednesday, September 15, at St George’s Hall in the city of Liverpool and it is now running a waiting list for anyone else who wants to book seats or tables.
Originally planned for May, the date has been moved following the announcement of the government roadmap out of lockdown.
That plan sees all social restrictions being lifted by June 21. This year, it’s not just about cele- brating the best retailers and des igners, it’s about celebrating this whole incredible, resilient, creative and entrepreneurial industry. Speaking
on the latest special
bonus awards episode of The kbbreview Podcast, managing editor Andrew Davies said: “The response we’ve had has been absolutely incredible. We’ve been overwhelmed with just how positive the reaction has been and, in fact, I can announce that we are offi cially sold out. “I know there’s fi ve months still to
go, but right here and now that’s it, all accounted
for. We are running a
waiting list, as there is always inevitable shuffl ing about as people make their plans to come, so if you want to put your name down, you’ll fi nd all the details on the website.”
• For the full list of fi nalists go to page 28. All the information on the awards can be found at
www.kbbreview.com/ awards, including how to put your name on the waiting list.
Unfair or justifi ed? What retailers think of the exit roadmap
WHILE SOME retailers have accepted the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, others see the decision to keep KBB showrooms closed as “unfair” and “discriminatory” and are calling for them to be allowed to open to the public. We asked members of the kbbreview100 retail community to give us their thoughts on the Government’s plan to exit lockdown.
Cu-Cucine owner Stefan Bomok in
Watlington has seen an increase in business since his showroom closed. He said: “With our new way of selling, I think this has overcome clients’ need to visit the showroom. We have had an increase in business with the showroom closed.” Bomok added that he is booked up until July. Richard Reynolds, chairman of CP Hart, said that his footfall had fallen by 90% during lockdown and that “sales to private clients have collapsed”. Reynolds believes that KBB
4
showrooms should have been allowed to open before April 12. “Most KBB retailers have low footfall and can see clients safely. It is discriminatory and deeply unfair to independents that some of the multiple retailers have been allowed to advertise KBB sales
throughout the so-called ‘lockdown’,” he told kbbreview.
Peter Cross, managing director of Ream Interiors in Kent, believes that KBB showrooms should not be classed as essential, but has seen this affect his business, as clients need to come to showrooms to choose colours and materials. Nathan Damarell, MD at KF Kitchens in Plymouth, is struggling to accept the inconsistencies within the roadmap, as garden centres can be open, yet even appointment-only visits are not possible for KBB retailers until April 12. On the opposite side of the ‘should KBB retailers be allowed to reopen to
the public’ debate, is Bathrooms and Wetrooms in the Wirral, where owner Michael Lloyd believes that showrooms should remain shut. He said that during the current lockdown period, sales have been up 30% compared with 2020. Lloyd said: “If we are classed as non-essential,
then don’t bend or
question the rules. I see business owners stretching the rules, but one thing has remained constant. The general public should stay at home under lockdown rules, so they cannot be
visiting showrooms bathrooms or kitchens.”
Emily Hyde, design director at Sanctuary Kitchens and Bathrooms, Shepperton, has mixed feelings about the announcement. Although the business is ‘”exceptionally busy, there are aspects of the process that take longer due to client confi dence when choosing fi ttings”.
Ciaran Leyne, director at Trilogy Designs in Essex, has been “frustrated” with the situation. However, he has been able to adapt and continue to receive orders. He said: “It has become a frustration, but we have learnt to work around the problem. For years, we didn’t have a showroom, so it hasn’t taken long to return to working this way. Video calls are helpful. There is only one order that cannot proceed until we can have the client attend our showroom.”
· April 2021 for new
RETAIL & DESIGN
O WEDNESDAY 15TH T SEPTEMBER 2021
2021
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