Classique, Queens Road

This showroom had made the best of its position with a bright blue and white sign above the door and a string of blue lights framing the window.
Despite the relatively small space, there was a display of Balterley bathrooms at the back of the shop and a couple of Lakes kitchens at the front, including a walnut finish shaker door with brushed chrome handle, cream worktop and Carron sink.
"That's a popular design at the moment," explained a rather awkward lad who didn't appear to be very comfortable talking to potential customers. I asked about Classique and found out it's a family business. I was then handed a business card with a name and mobile number written on it in biro. "Give Paul a call. He will come to your house during the day or in the evening and take measurements," said the lad.
As I was leaving, I noticed a folder with a few snaps of completed kitchens and letters of thanks. "I think there are some more pictures on the website," he said as I flicked through.

SERVICE: 3 SHOWROOM: 3    TOTAL: 6/10
Don't be shy, I won't bite

Willbond, Ilkeston Road

There was no missing Willbond thanks to its gleaming windows and distinctive green and grey paint, which made a good on-street advert for this attractive bathroom showroom.
The varied products inside and attractive layout lived up to the early promise with a strong selection from brands such as Jacuzzi, Teuco and Heritage. Items were either given space in which to shine, such as a Duravit freestanding bath, or grouped together to create realistic bathroom settings with neatly folded towels and attractive toiletries that helped bring character to the displays.
I spoke to Patrick, seated at a reception desk near the door who said: "We've got a lovely showroom and a good reputation." He suggested I bring in the dimensions of my room so that he could help me choose the products that would best fit the space, and create an on-screen plan. He could then give me the name of a reliable fitter.

SERVICE: 3 SHOWROOM: 5    TOTAL: 8/10
This showroom has a clear identity

DFM, Crocus Street

The sign on the side of the DFM unit declared 'Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Appliances, One Location Every Solution'.
DFM had plenty of space and the ground floor had been filled with a variety of kitchen options, including painted, real wood and gloss finishes. Despite the bright sun outside, the atmosphere inside this industrial unit felt cold. There was no music to fill the void, no props to bring life to the kitchens, a lack of brochures and product information and no people. I caught snatches of echoing voices coming from somewhere else in the building, but couldn't actually find anyone to talk to.
Wandering round I stepped straight from a kitchen display into a bathroom and then later stumbled across some bedroom furniture. Here again, there were no soft furnishings to bring life to the displays, not even beds. A run of units, including wardrobes with a bridge of high-level wall storage, looked odd without the bed to fill the gap. I looked at some Ideal Standard sanitaryware and admired a Falcon range but, despite the fact a buzzer had sounded when I first entered the showroom, no one appeared so I left.

SERVICE: 0 SHOWROOM: 3    TOTAL: 3/10
Unimaginative layout and a lack of staff let DFM down

Impressions, Mansfield Road

Impressions was undergoing a major expansion when I visited. A second storey had been built to accommodate kitchen displays, the yet-to-be-completed bathroom displays were destined for the ground floor.
Emma joined me as I admired the well-presented kitchens and explained that the company made its own carcasses, but bought in doors from a variety of suppliers. "This gives us the flexibility to create kitchens to fit your space," she explained. The kitchens on display amply demonstrated this skill. The showroom was well laid out with a good choice of styles.
She gave me a Second Nature brochure, suggesting I flick through it to get a few ideas and then make a wish list of everything I would like in my new kitchen. "I'm sure you've got a good idea of what you want, but I'm sure we will be able to come up with a few ideas, too."

SERVICE: 4 SHOWROOM: 4    TOTAL: 8/10
A showroom with big plans for the future

Taurus, Cantrell Road

Occupying numbers 5 to 17 on the Cantrell Road, Taurus had an enviable shop front with which to make its mark. Unfortunately this opportunity had been lost as the sign had faded, paint was peeling and the windows had been wasted.
In these times of austerity, it's understandable that a new shop sign is not a priority, however it doesn't cost anything to arrange your wares so they catch the eyes of passers-by. At Taurus the policy is to lean things against the windows so from the outside you just see cardboard and the back of tile boards.
Inside, the showroom was cluttered with various gaps on the walls and one whole room full of boxes. I asked Ken if he was in the process of refurbishing. "We're always doing something," he replied. "The thing is the fitters are so busy on other jobs, they don't have time for the showroom."

SERVICE: 3 SHOWROOM: 2    TOTAL: 5/10
Taurus would benefit from a more bullish approach to presentation

Palmers, Radcliffe Road

Palmers has a corner location and lots of big windows that were put to good use with both bathroom and kitchen displays.
Linda gave me a friendly hello when I entered and then let me wander round the bathrooms looking at brands such as Vitra and Aqualisa. The showroom felt warm and welcoming (DFM take note), helped by attractive props in the displays and framed letters of thanks from happy customers on the walls.
A neatly printed notice advised customers that if they would like assistance to ask at reception in the main kitchen area. While another said 'feel free to slip off your shoes and try our underfloor heating'.
Linda joined me and talked me through a couple of products before suggesting a home visit: "They'll only be with you for about an hour and then call you back in to discuss ideas. There's no obligation to buy. But if you do decide to go with us, we can do the whole lot for you, lighting, plumbing, tiling and there's a five-year guarantee on everything including the labour."
As I left, Linda handed me a selection of brochures and a Palmers pack, including a DVD.

SERVICE: 4  SHOWROOM: 4    TOTAL: 8/10
A warm hug of a showroom

WINNER'S PROFILE : Palmers

Palmers has been in its impressive premises on Radcliffe Road for 11 years and Linda has been with the company for 10. She says: "Our policy is to make every customer welcome. If I have any problems, I leave them at the door. If the designers are in, I always bring them down from the office to introduce them to the customer as it will be the designer who makes the home visit."
How the showroom looks is extremely important, too, with the big windows kept scrupulously clean to showcase the neat and tidy bathroom displays. The lights are left on at night so that the showroom can promote its wares even when the doors are closed. "A lot of our business comes from recommendation," Linda explained. "And we attract customers not only from Nottingham, but as far afield as Leicester and Derby."