CK Kitchens

CK KITCHENS PROVIDE GOOD QUALITY KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS THAT DON'T COST A FORTUNE. KEITH SAMPSON AND KEVIN JAMES PROVIDE SUCH A GOOD SERVICE, MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS BECOME FRIENDS!

Interview by Sue Kittow


What are your backgrounds?
Keith: My father was a plumbing and heating engineer in Falmouth and I've been in the building trade, then Kevin and I met in May 2009 and it turned out we knew each other through our sons playing football together!
Kevin: I worked in the hydraulics business, then had my own restaurant in Falmouth and used that experience to help set up this business.

What interests you about kitchens and bathrooms?
Keith: I have had an inherent love of building – I'd been carrying my dad's toolkit since the age of 6.
Kevin: I did a training course on kitchens in Denmark, and working in a restaurant taught me the practical side of things.

Tell us what makes your kitchens and bathrooms different/special.
Kevin: They're British made and factory assembled – no flatpack. All the doors and drawers are soft close as standard and the mechanism is Blum, the Rolls Royce of soft close.

Where are the bathrooms made?
Keith: We're using Kudos which are made in Cumbria, and soon we'll be introducing Jacuzzi, and the sanitary ware for that is made in Newcastle - we're trying to keep to British products. We've also got Merlin which are from Northern Ireland.

How would you describe your style?
Kevin: We have all styles: contemporary, modern, old fashioned – there's something for everyone. We have a reputation for innovative design and can offer a massive range, from solid oak to high gloss.

What can we see in your showroom?
Kevin: We've got a large range of kitchens, appliances, tiles, we're launching wooden flooring and have all different types of flooring available, including Altro and lino. We've also got handles and sample doors - you can see the doors all the way around in reception.
Keith: And we've got about 28 different colours for carcasses, and a wide range of worktops.

What's popular at the moment?
Kevin: We have a new Impressions range which is contemporary doors, high gloss, made-to-measure. That's selling really well.
Keith: This range has been introduced during the recession and is very good value for money.

Who are your customers?
Kevin: They're probably middle to late age, recently moved down to Cornwall. People who want a complete service.
Kevin: Yes, we can project manage the whole job, from electric, gas, tiling – we'll do it all.

When a customer comes in, how does it work?
Kevin: We give them a guided tour round the showroom, then leave them in peace. If they're interested we give them brochures to look at, then if they want, we measure up the kitchen and give them a free quotation.

Why is customer service so important to you?
Kevin: It's vital for repeat business. You can't put a price on service. Also, our customers know they'll always deal with either myself or Keith.
Keith: Customer service is the most important aspect of being a local business: we get lots of word of mouth recommendations. We're open 7 days a week, for that service, so we've proved that it works. And there's free parking!

What would impress me as a customer?
Kevin: Seeing what's available with the high technology of servo-drive, along with all the space saving devices. We're here to offer good quality kitchens and bathrooms that won't cost a fortune.
Keith: We're well worth a visit!


Visit CK Kitchens at Toyota House, North Parade, Falmouth TR11 2TD
01326 319993 or 077911 589 05
showroom@ckkitchens.co.uk
www.ckkitchens.co.uk