Bassett Homes & Accessories, Winchester Road

On the outskirts of Southampton, I found this showroom in the centre of a parade of shops.
The interior was bright, with a curved Metris kitchen in horizontal zebrano grain teamed with an ice blue glass splashback. The impression was of a professional set-up slightly marred when managing director Glyn joined me wearing a vivid blue fleece that had definitely seen better days.
Despite his lack of sartorial elegance, Glyn soon won me round with his interest in my project and good product knowledge. "We can match the paint on your walls or even pick out a colour from your wallpaper," he said. I wasn't sure about the grey zebrano, so he showed me the Metris brochure with alternative door finishes. We also flicked through a folder full of pages from magazines.
"Don't try to plan the whole kitchen, that's our job, just think about colours, styles, appliances and buy a load of magazines. We'll take it from there."

SERVICE: 3 SHOWROOM: 4    TOTAL: 7/10
It's a pity the MD was not as smart as his shop

In-toto, The Avenue

The Southampton showroom for this successful franchise was next door to Bathrooms Plus and the two operations could not have been more different.
The familiar sign was gleaming, the customer parking was on pristine tarmac with neatly painted bays, a professionally printed sign in the window announced the Spring Sale.
Rowena joined me and we admired a handle-less white kitchen with glass-effect door and drawer fronts and a classy new display in glossy grey. Impeccably dressed, Rowena explained that her husband Roger was out visiting a customer: "He is more involved with the design than me. I'm based in the office," she explained but still managed to answer my questions while promoting the business.
Before I left, Rowena handed me the In-toto folder explaining that it contained a bit of information about the company, brochures and a questionnaire about my kitchen requirements. "We find this helps you focus your mind and sets Roger on the right track," she said.

SERVICE: 4 SHOWROOM: 4    TOTAL: 8/10
A very professional set up

Bathrooms Plus, The Avenue

Many years ago, someone clearly had aspirations for Bathrooms Plus.
The showroom had a good location on a busy road, there was space for customer parking outside and the exterior sported a large silver and lilac sign.
Sadly the parking area was now crumbling concrete, the sign had dulled to grubby grey and the showroom window was one of the most cluttered I had ever seen. I counted three separate notices declaring 'parking for customers only' and five A4 printed sheets stuck to the window, detailing items for sale in the shop.
Inside, the same level of disorder with the added bonus of a fine coating of dust. Stephen sat at a desk at the back of the shop and we chatted about my requirements, he was friendly and suggested I bring in a plan of the room, so that he could plot in some ideas on the computer.

SERVICE: 3 SHOWROOM: 1    TOTAL: 4/10
Time for a thorough clear-out and scrub-down

Pipescenes, Portswood Road

This showroom had grown over the years, expanding into adjacent buildings.
Despite the varying heights and architecture of the shop, a uniformity had been achieved by painting everything in the same cream coloured paint and attaching a Romanesque entrance, complete with green marble pillars. A big sign ran the length of the building, declaring 'bathrooms, showers, swimming pools and hot tubs'.
And indeed there was plenty to see from RAK ceramics to Grohe taps, Shades furniture to Steamist steam cabins. Unfortunately, the interior of the shop was not as cohesive as the exterior.
In one section, sanitaryware was set against plain white walls in another the walls were bubble gum pink.
Melissa had called out a cheery hello when I entered and I stopped to chat. "We can supply only or supply and fit," she explained. "There is so much to choose from, but we can talk you through it."

SERVICE: 3 SHOWROOM: 2    TOTAL: 5/10
More thought needed in terms of layout and decoration

Riverview Kitchens, Manor Farm Road

This showroom did indeed have a river view, seen through large plate-glass windows beneath a classic black and gold sign.
Jan was on the phone when I walked in, but looked up, smiled and then joined me when he had finished the call. 
Jan steered me to a wall of door samples and pointed out the natural and character oak options as well as the painted alternatives in cream and a pretty cornflower blue. He explained that the kitchens are made in Wales by Sigma 3. "I can arrange for you to visit the factory," he said.
We then looked through the brochure and, picking up on my taste, Jan enthused about the real-wood doors and granite as opposed to quartz worktops: "I love natural things, far more character," he said pointing out a gorgeous slab of pale stone on an island unit. "Every bit is unique."

SERVICE: 4 SHOWROOM: 3    TOTAL: 7/10
Attractive displays and enthusiastic service

Solent Kitchen Design, Macnaghten Road

David was taking a delivery when I bowled up at this showroom. "Please look round and I'll be with you in a minute," he said.
The showroom was obviously in the process of being updated with old displays making way for new, notably a modern black-and-white gloss kitchen with a lime-green glass worktop incorporating a De Dietrich induction hob with wok burner. There was also a cute powder-blue kitchen reminiscent of a 1950s diner.
Delivery signed for, David joined me. "We are designers first and foremost," he said. "It is not about selling you a load of boxes but about creating a kitchen with a few individual touches that will make it special for you."
As we walked round the displays, David pointed out interesting features and explained the merits of the ranges he sold (Second Nature, Wentworth, Stoneham). He also managed to work into the conversation that this was a family business, established for 40 years, and he talked about projects both big and small he had undertaken. Pausing to admire the De Dietrich hob, David enthused about induction and suggested I come along to one of their cookery demonstrations.

SERVICE: 5  SHOWROOM: 3    TOTAL: 8/10
Exceptionally charming and confident service

WINNER'S PROFILE: Solent Kitchen Design

David Praine's father was a boat builder by profession and he founded this company, Solent Kitchen Design, more than 40 years ago.
As time went on, boat building became kitchen fitting and eventually the showroom opened in 1977 with David joining the company in 1992.
David says that repeat business and recommendations from satisfied customers bring in business from as far afield as London, with requests for study and bedroom furniture as well as the kitchens.
In response to demand, David has also installed bathrooms for his customers.
He says: "We are a friendly company providing a proper design service and good advice.
"I employ all the fitters and, although we might not be the cheapest, it is always a job done well."