Berkshire Bathrooms, Shinfield Road

In a parade of shops in a leafy suburb, Berkshire Bathrooms had a good selection of product on display from Laufen, Ideal Standard and Roca.
The showroom had an unfinished feel to it though, with cardboard boxes leaning up against a shower enclosure, gaps on the display board of accessories and many of the basins were missing taps. The bright strip lighting didn't help either. I wandered round and then approached the man sat at a desk in the corner to ask a few questions. He said the woman who ran the showroom had popped out. He said he couldn't help but would call her and ask her to come back. She would be about five minutes.
I wandered round some more, admiring a window display of aubergine gloss cabinets with twin basins. Still no sign. I wandered round again and then said that I couldn't wait any longer. The man, who had remained at his desk, just smiled as I left. It would have been a good idea to try and keep me in the shop by telling me about the company or giving some brochures.

SERVICE: 1 SHOWROOM: 3    TOTAL: 4/10
Sorry I missed the owner

Benchmarx, Stadium Way

Tucked away on the Stadium industrial estate, the Benchmarx showroom sat above the joinery.
When I walked in, Andrew glanced up from his computer but showed no further interest as I wandered round. This is a small showroom, but there were a couple of nice displays and 'Look Inside' stickers invited me to open drawers and cupboards, presumably to view the internal fittings. I did as I was told and found the cutlery drawer contained two spoons and a quantity of sawdust. The dividers in a deep pan drawer were only half assembled. I turned back to Andrew and asked where the kitchens were manufactured.
"It's all Gower," he said. "Basically, it's the same as you would get in Wickes." Now was the moment for Andrew to outline the service I could expect from Benchmarx, perhaps even enlighten me as to why I should buy from him rather than Wickes. But, instead, he just handed me his card and a brochure. "Call if you want me to measure up," he said, turning back to his computer screen. I was clearly an inconvenience so I scuttled back down the stairs.

SERVICE: 1 SHOWROOM: 3    TOTAL: 4/10
One word - rude

Bathroom Creations, Oxford Road

There was no missing Bathroom Creations on the Oxford Road with its black and pink sign.
The theme was continued inside with a good selection of bright sanitaryware and gleaming chrome taps set against fuchsia walls. Neatly folded towels, dried flowers in coordinating colours and gentle background music completed the polished presentation. Lita, in a fuchsia pink blouse, called out a cheery hello as I came in and, after I had looked at the displays on the ground floor, pointed out that there was more to see upstairs. I described my small bathroom and she suggested a shower bath, or had I considered dispensing with the bath altogether in favour of a walk-in shower? "We have everything you could need, right down to the accessories and heating," she said. As I left, Lita handed me a card for a plumber and suggested I get him to measure up. "He'll forward a plan to us and then you can come in to discuss specific products. He gets busy so its worth calling him sooner rather than later."

SERVICE: 3 SHOWROOM: 4    TOTAL: 7/10
A cheerful showroom matched by equally cheery service

Elements, Portman Road

Gina at the Elements kitchen showroom was the polar opposite of Andrew at Benchmarx.
I know Benchmarx is aiming at the lower end of the market and Elements at the middle, but should that influence how you treat potential customers? Gina left what she was doing and walked me round the showroom. She was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the kitchens on display (Second Nature and Alno) and pulled out worktop samples and alternative doors to show me how different finishes worked together. I liked the burgundy gloss kitchen on display, but wasn't sure if I would tire of the colour. She brought out a box of glass samples and said: "A glass splashback is a great way to introduce an element of colour and so much easier to clean than tiles." We discussed appliances and she explained that Elements sold Miele and Neff. "We stick to what we know is reliable." I asked about installation and she reassured me: "We can project manage the whole thing for you."

SERVICE: 4 SHOWROOM: 4    TOTAL: 8/10
Lovely showroom, professional service

Kitchen Solutions, Church Road

My next stop took me over the river to Reading's old town, where Kitchen Solutions made the best of its location with big, gleaming windows under a smart black and yellow awning.
Elaine welcomed me to the showroom and we chatted about the glamorous German kitchens on display, which included a cream gloss, white-glass-fronted and a golden Champagne finish. Elaine was charming and relaxed, but still managed to work into the conversation that Kitchen Solutions was a family business, that had been running since 1965 and that the owner John regularly visited Germany to keep up to speed with all the latest tends. Then she outlined the buying process: "John will visit your home to take measurements and then produce drawings that he will run through with you in our viewing room. This is a two-way process, you can make tweaks and changes at any stage."

SERVICE: 4 SHOWROOM: 4    TOTAL: 8/10
A top class showroom matched by top class service

Fabulous Bathrooms & Kitchens, Twyford

On my way home from Reading, I drove through the small, picturesque town of Twyford, where I found this kitchen and bathroom showroom, which is indeed fabulous.
Bathrooms dominate the ground floor with imaginative displays of Villeroy and Boch, Axor Starck, Teuco and Majestic set against distinctive tiles. The ceiling in the showroom was painted a deep purple which, combined with twinkling spotlights, created a boutique feel in what was a sizeable space. I liked the neatly printed biographies of bathroom designers, complete with black and white photographs, which adorned the walls, including Philippe Starck and Patricia Urquiola. Upstairs there were kitchen displays and a tile gallery. Design consultant Simon was busy with customers. They were chatting about a design he was creating on-screen while sipping coffee.
So Ann suggested I bring in a rough floor plan for him to work on. "You can leave it with Simon or sit with him while he comes up with some ideas," she said. "Then, after he's shocked you with the price, you can work through it. It usually takes three or four visits. We can handle everything for you including lighting and tiling."

SERVICE: 4  SHOWROOM: 5    TOTAL: 9/10
Fabulous by name, fabulous by nature.

WINNER'S PROFILE: Fabulous Bathooms & Kitchens

Bill Crosswell is fastidious about his shop. "It's never untidy," he says. "I won't have things lying about on the floor and I will only sell good quality. I wouldn't sell poor quality products at any price."
He also likes to keep suppliers to a minimum and is the main Villeroy and Boch dealer for Reading and a Hansgrohe VIP dealer. "As a result, we have an excellent relationship with our suppliers and a better understanding of the products we sell," he says. Customer relations are also a top priority, as Bill explains: "I think that if someone has taken the trouble to come into the shop, they are important to us," he says. "We care about our customers and we're passionate about the service we provide, from finding a bathroom that suits their taste to impeccable installation."