Kitchen fittings and hardware specialist Häfele has announced the shortlist of finalists for its Studio Partner Awards.
This year, Häfele saw a record number of nominations and has shortlisted 17 studios across six award categories.
The awards are now in their seventh year and are intended to recognise the innovative design, business excellence and customer experience within its network of independent kitchen showrooms.
In the much-prized Studio Partner of the Year category, the finalists are BMS Kitchens and Bedrooms in York, Davonport Kitchen and Home, IN2 Group in Fareham, Kettle Co. Kitchens in St Austell, The Kitchen Works in Gateshead and Wignalls in Newton Abbot. They have been chosen for their “outstanding commitment to the Häfele UK partner programme”.
There will also be a new category this year – Best Sales and Marketing Initiative, which celebrates businesses that have “elevated their brand in partnership with Häfele to drive growth and sales”.
The awards will be announced at a ceremony to be held on June 20 at Warwick Castle.
Commenting on the awards shortlist, Häfele UK sales director Gareth Bevan said: “The volume and quality of this year’s nominations has been unprecedented. In fact, we received 60% more entries than last year so our finalists should be particularly proud of making it through to the next stage.
“To honour and celebrate their achievement, the award event promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Warwick Castle, where we’ll be following in the footsteps of kings and queens who have feasted there since the 15th Century. We hope it will be a truly unforgettable occasion and a fitting tribute to our Studio Partners’ hard work.”
The full shortlist is as follows:
Best Sales and Marketing Initiative
· Duncans of Grantown – “Moy County Fair”
· Ironbridge – “January Sale”
· Kettle Co. Kitchens – “James Strawbridge”
· Regal Kitchens – “Annual Students Day”
Best Showroom Experience
· Bluebell Fitted Furniture
· Davonport Kitchen and Home
· HBC Kitchens and Bathrooms
· Ironbridge Interiors
· Mike Hughes Kitchens and Bedrooms
· Regal Kitchens
Best Functional Space
· Hugo & Co.
· Ironbridge Interiors
· Kettle Co. Kitchens
· Parlour Farm
· Regal Kitchens
Kitchen Design of the Year
· BMS Kitchens and Bedrooms
· Duncans of Grantown
· Hugo & Co.
· IN2 Group
· Studio 10
Best Rising Star
· Alexander Paul Kitchens
· Global Domestic Appliances
· Woollards of Mildenhall
Studio Partner of the Year
· BMS Kitchens and Bedrooms
· Davonport Kitchen and Home
· IN2 Group
· Kettle Co. Kitchens
· The Kitchen Works
· Wignalls
The Studio Partner programme is a network of independent kitchen studios selected for their customer service, business excellence and growth. As part of the scheme, they receive extensive marketing and sales support, including lead generation, discounts and training.