Kitchen makers open first showroom in Sicklinghall ahead of 20th anniversary

A kitchen company based in Sicklinghall has opened its first showroom as it prepares to mark 20 years in business.

Christopher Philips Handmade Interiors, founded by Chris Verity and Phil Dawes, launched the showroom this week in a former stable building beside the Scotts Arms Inn.

The business has partnered with ESSE, which manufactures range cookers in Britain, and retailer Scotts Arms Stoves to create the display space.

Until now, Christopher Philips has worked on a made-to-order basis from its workshops, without a dedicated showroom where customers could view its kitchens.

The new space features four kitchen designs, with different styles of handmade cabinetry alongside ESSE electric range cookers. One of the cookers, the new ESSE 1000 S, was shown publicly for the first time.

The launch event included a cooking demonstration by chef Liz Cottam of Byre, based at Bolton Abbey, who prepared dishes using ESSE's electric range cookers before finishing them on a wood-fired Ironheart.

Chris Verity, co-founder of Christopher Philips, said the showroom gave the business an opportunity to showcase different styles of cabinetry as it approached its 20th anniversary in 2027.

“Designing this showroom together with ESSE and Scotts Arms Stoves has let us demonstrate the versatility of our cabinet collection, incorporating three different styles of handmade kitchen and our custom drawer systems,” he said.

Glen van Zeller, owner of Scotts Arms Stoves, said the partnership brought the three businesses together at the site beside the 16th-century inn.

Robert Ashby, director of ESSE Engineering, said the addition of the kitchens would allow customers to see cabinetry and cookers together.

The showroom is open by appointment.