“We do things differently here”
Eileen Leahy meets Rob Wheeler of Eridge Green Kitchens to discover more about this successful business which is dedicated to producing the finest quality work in order to enhance your home…
Located in a grand corner building, a former Barclays bank no less, and situated right in the heart of Crowborough is Eridge Green Kitchen’s HQ.
As showrooms go it is a pretty impressive one. On entering the period building the main space is large, open plan and carved into clever kitchen zones. There’s a sleek and contemporary marble and wood offering, a pretty pink modern country style (complete with a cute built-in dog bed under the island) and a smart contemporary Shaker space with pendant lighting and metallic splashbacks. So far, so very cool but then I spy the bar area – yes you heard correctly – there is also a bar, complete with cocktail mixers, glasses and bottles of spirits.
Rob tells me that he and his team, which currently totals eight, put in the super chic bar, complete with illuminated arches, faux fur lined stools and a marble counter, when they were designing the space initially as it seemed like the most welcoming thing to do for clients.
“It’s turned out to be enormously successful,” smiles Rob as he continues to show me around. “People instantly migrate towards it and it comes into its own when we’re hosting events here.”
Rob explains that he and the team are keen to host more networking and sociable events: “That could be anything from floristry classes to dining and wine pairing events. We might even doing wreath making in the lead up to Christmas.”
We continue through the labyrinth-like building to discover another kitchen set up and an amazing vermillion red pantry complete with open shelving, a handmade larder and eye-catching monochrome floor tiles – plus an obligatory wine fridge.
“We felt that the best way we could show people what we do is by creating this space” says Rob who started the company in 2010 and acquired the building in 2023. Hopscotching between various development issues, it took a year to complete and opened to the public in November 2024.
As Rob leads me through to a boot room set up and a smart utility space, we then head into an out-of-bounds area of the site – the bank’s former walk-in safe – as it is still very much under construction.
“This is where we want to create a client hub where we can go through plans and mood boards in private with our colleagues.”
Rob and his team have ensured this is very much a collaborative endeavour as they are working with many local professionals from the interiors industry.
“We have worked with the guys from Quantum who have run the bar for us here on one occasion – and we are hoping to do more with them. Meanwhile interior designer Joss Miller has helped us on some of our higher-end design packages and Melissa from lumière will be collaborating with us when we revamp the showroom’s lighting.”
Rob tells me that having this showroom is their calling card to the general public and any potential brands they might want to work with.
“People who have already commissioned us to build them a kitchen, a boot room or some bedroom furniture know we are very good at what we do and that we offer exceptional customer service. But we do want to get our name known in Tunbridge Wells. We know there is a lot of competition there already but we do things differently.”
Eridge Green Kitchens is dedicated to the traditional craft of building bespoke kitchens and furniture by hand. The team, which Rob is hoping to expand soon, use traditional methods to manufacture and install bespoke furniture at the highest standard – accentuated by modern components, innovative technology and luxury materials.
“We design our products bespoke to our customers’ needs and desires,” adds Rob.
The company works with a number of very well known, high-end designer brands including Bora ovens and hobs, Gaggenau, V-Zug, Quooker and Sub Zero Wolf state-of-the-art appliances.
“We haven’t picked these brands on a whim, we have done our research and picked the ones which would reflect the type of service we want to deliver. They are the best in the business at what they do and have a reputation for excellent customer service.”
Eridge Green Kitchens has two industrial units, also in Crowborough, where they manufacture all manner of kitchen cabinetry, media units, cupboards for utility rooms, larders, bathrooms and bedrooms.
“Customers can ask us to make something from scratch or we can collaborate together – or they can ask for a variation on a theme we already have here on display. From day one of running this business I have always said ‘if you can draw it, I can make it’,” says Rob who is a trained cabinet maker.
There’s also the opportunity to make one-off purchases when visiting. “We were keen to have a retail element to us,” Rob adds.
So there are Le Creuset pans and crockery to buy, as well as aromatic candles and reed diffusers.
“Whether you are buying a mug or a kitchen from us we want to help you make your house into a home. No job is too big or niche for us. Thanks to our talented team and full project design, build and management service we can also carry out full home renovations too. I always say that we are small enough to care but big enough to get it done.”
You can book a free consultation with Eridge Green Kitchens by visiting
www.eridgegreenkitchens.co.uk
Follow Eridge Green Kitchens on social media: @eridgegreenkitchens
