City Plumbing, Maybrook Road

The showroom at City Plumbing Supplies was pleasant enough with displays of Roca and Twyford sanitaryware and Bristan taps. The background music was unobtrusive and flashes of bright colour on the walls livened up the sets.
However, what really stood out here was showroom manager Emilie. I had already overheard her bright phone manner and she instantly turned her cheerful attention to me. "We don't offer a design and fit service," she said. "But I can talk through various ideas. I can also recommend a fitter I get on well with and we can all work together. Don't feel you're on your own, because you're not."

Score: 6/10
A reasonable showroom with a cheerful and helpful manager at the helm

Evesham Bathrooms, Swan Business Park

Evesham Bathrooms has made the best of its business unit location with a big sign and a notice on the door welcoming visitors to the showroom.
Once inside there is a variety of product on offer from Ideal Standard and Vitra sanitaryware to more traditional BC Designs plus Crosswater brassware and Matki showers. I approached Jenny and commented on the choice. "This just demonstrates the brands we sell, " she said. "There's a whole family of products behind everything you see." I asked about fitting and she said, "We provide a full design and fit service. We can create CAD images for you after an initial visit but if you feel we've gone in the wrong direction we can always think again."

Score: 6/10
Friendly service but the corrugated roof shed a dull light on the displays

John Nicholls,Avenue Farm Estate

On the face of it this showroom appears to have it all. There's ample parking and large windows to give passing customers an enticing view of the aspirational displays inside, including a Duravit Starck 1 freestanding bath and Second Floor furniture.
However, the poor service failed to live up to the glossy package. A sales girl was busy with customers when I arrived and avoided catching my eye so I wandered round. Eventually I knocked on the back office door to ask a few questions about the products and service. I was handed a business card for Nigel and told, "You really need to talk to him, but he isn't here today."

Score: 5/10
Nice showroom, shame about the disappointing service

Dolphin/Sharps/Moben, Wood Street

Brenda concluded her phone conversation when I entered the shop and joined me as I admired a space saver bathroom display complete with corner basin and reduced length d-bath.
We moved onto kitchens and Brenda outlined the current offers available from Moben including £1,500 worth of appliances. "We offer a free, no obligation site visit and design service," she explained. "If you pay a deposit, any relevant special offers will be secured."
As I was leaving Brenda offered me a brochure, I declined as I had a lot to carry, but she leafed through it anyway pointing out the wide range of products available.

Score: 7/10
Brenda knows her stuff. This was an extremely professional pitch

Serene Bathrooms, Western Road

Serene has only been in business for 14 months, explained Steve as he met me at the door (he was enjoying a cigarette in the afternoon sun). The business was created by a property developer, builder and (unless I mis-heard) a car mechanic! The showroom is in a former warehouse and is not yet finished.
However the completed displays are impressive with the downstairs space divided by full height walls to present a wide range of sanitaryware set against imaginative tiling. Steve (the former property developer) walked me round. "We test out the tilers here," he said. "If we don't like what they do in the showroom we won't use them. We offer a full design, and fit service with tilers, plasterers and electricians."
Steve chatted about his plans for the business and took me upstairs to show me a selection of top end products still waiting to be properly presented. Despite the temporary flooring and lack of tiles we spent ages drooling over a steam cabin, spa bath and walk in shower. "And you haven't heard the best," grinned Steve. "Stick with us and you get Stratford products at Solihull prices!"

Score 6/10
The showroom isn't finished but Steve gets extra points for sheer enthusiasm

Stratford KB & B, Dodwell Trading Estate

My first impression of this retailer wasn't great. Stratford KB&B is housed in a business unit on a trading estate. There is one small office window at the front of the building and when I arrived the solid blue door was firmly shut, giving the impression of a trade only outfit rather than a consumer friendly retailer. This is a shame because once inside  it is extremely customer friendly.
Sue came through from her office at the back and explained that this is very much a family business. She works in the shop, her daughter Carrie handles design and her son-in law installation. Sue explained that they could handle any small building work if required and walked me round the displays pointing out a gloss cream Sheraton kitchen and a solid oak Stoneham design to gauge whether I preferred modern or more traditional style. We chatted about my worktop preferences, appliance options and my family. In one corner a display was being replaced, but a neatly typed notice pinned to the wall apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused during the refurbishment. The rest of the showroom was nicely presented and well lit.

Score: 7/10
A charming sales lady and some good displays but the exterior doesn't draw you in

Interior Motives, Union Street

This attractive showroom in the heart of town isn't big but Richard Singleton has made good use of the space with an eye catching tangerine gloss Nolte kitchen in the window and more sedate Stoneham displays inside. There is even a small collection of Duravit basins tucked neatly into a corner.
Richard is charming and we had a long conversation about the style of kitchen I might like during which he pulled out appliance brochures, opened cupboards to reveal hidden storage and produced several snaps of recent installations. He even suggested making an appointment for me to visit the Stoneham factory to see a greater selection of finishes. "Although not strictly bespoke, Stoneham is a flexible manufacturer and we can often alter the size of units if required," Richard said. "You will get a bespoke look for less."
  I explained that I currently had the builders in and Richard said, "As your kitchen is going into a new extension I will pop out several times during the build to check dimensions. Builders don't always stick to the plan but I can adjust our design to make the perfect fit."

Score: 8/10
Richard has confidence in his products and an ability to meet my expectations - I was impressed

Winner's profile

Interior Motives

The Interior Motives showroom sits above the level of the street, you walk up a few steps to the entrance. This, says Richard Singleton, is part of its appeal, "It is almost like stepping into another world. The style and position of the building gives a boutique feel."
Once inside, however, Richard's manner soon puts customers at their ease. "I don't think this business is about selling so much as treating customers with integrity and genuine, sincere honesty. If you say you are going to do something you must do it within the agreed time. If, for whatever reason, there's a problem you must inform the client and tell them what you're going to do about it. It is all about your behaviour towards people."