Wirral Kitchens & Interiors Named Double Finalist at The UK Small Business Awards 2026

Wirral Kitchens & Interiors has been shortlisted in two categories at The UK Small Business Awards 2026 — Best Family Business and Best Small Business — marking another major milestone for the independent Hoylake showroom.

The recognition comes just over two years after Steve Wilbraham and his family opened the doors of the WKI showroom at Hilbre Business Park. What customers see today is the result of years of trade experience, a difficult start and a determination to build a kitchen and interiors business around quality, personal service and complete project management.

From Apprentice Bench Joiner to Hoylake Showroom

Steve began his career in 1987 at the age of 16 as an apprentice bench joiner. After more than 35 years working across the building and kitchen industry, he wanted to create a business that could offer customers better-quality products while taking responsibility for the whole project — not simply selling a kitchen and handing the customer on to somebody else.

A Difficult Start

Getting the showroom open was far from straightforward. Steve continued working full days on existing projects and spent evenings fitting displays, often working alone until late. At the same time Elaine was working 12-hour shifts as a carer. When finances became tight, they both took on personal borrowing to help get the showroom across the line. Despite being advised at one stage to cut their losses, they persevered and opened in September 2024 with no established showroom customer base waiting for them.

More Than a Kitchen Retailer

Since then, WKI has completed around 40 kitchen and interiors projects and has developed into much more than a kitchen retailer. The business now manages complete projects including building works, structural alterations, plumbing, electrics, plastering, flooring and installation, using a trusted team of tradespeople.

The business has also developed its own Signature Collection, with a focus on quality furniture and finishes, including solid painted doors, while keeping the service personal. Steve remains directly involved in measuring and project management, while Elaine joined the business full-time in December 2025 and is central to the organisation and customer care behind WKI.

Customer recommendation has become an increasingly important source of new enquiries. WKI currently holds a 4.8/5 Google rating from 20 reviews, and the business is seeing more people visit the showroom after being referred by previous customers.

This latest recognition follows WKI being shortlisted for Kitchen Retailer of the Year at the KBBFocus Awards 2025, giving the business further national recognition within a relatively short period of trading from the Hoylake showroom.

Steve added that the aim is not to turn WKI into a large, impersonal business. The plan is to keep the company small enough to remain personally involved with customers while continuing to develop the Signature Collection and offer products and services that set WKI apart.

Wirral Kitchens & Interiors is based at Unit 11, Hilbre Business Park, Carr Lane, Hoylake, Wirral, CH47 4AZ. Customers can visit the showroom to discuss kitchens, utility rooms, bedrooms and wider home-interior projects.