Wren Kitchens has invested more than £1m into a new North East showroom, creating 25 new jobs.
The firm has ploughed the cash into its state-of-the-art kitchen showroom at Trimdon Street retail park in Sunderland.
The retailer has created new roles as part of the investment into the new 15,000sqft showroom, including managers, designers, surveyors and advisors.
The former B&Q building now boasts more than 40 individual kitchens on display and a design studio, while also incorporating latest technology including interactive 3D virtual reality headsets to help shoppers choose their new kitchens.
As well as a range of traditional, country, industrial and ultra-modern kitchens the company will be showcasing new tech such as Alexa-connected home kitchen lighting and appliances.
This marks the 81st showroom opened by Wren Kitchens since launching a decade ago, and is one of 14 showrooms the firm is rolling out this year.
Wren manufactures more than 2,000 kitchens a week at its three production facilities in North Lincolnshire and Yorkshire and to support its expansion big investments are being made at its Barton base, with a £120m manufacturing expansion and new IT academy among proposals.
General showroom manager Marc Winter said: “It’s taken three months to completely transform the building to Wren’s famously high standards and the substantial amount we’ve invested demonstrates our commitment to the local area.”
The Mayor of Sunderland, Coun David Snowdon added: “I am delighted to have been invited to the official opening of this exciting new retail development in our city.
“As Mayor it is important to provide civic support to the business community, who play such a vital role in our economic future.
“This investment by Wren Kitchens is great news bringing new jobs and more shoppers into the local area, and I hope the new showroom is a huge success.”
The new showroom opens to the public on Friday, August 9 when the ribbon will be officially cut by former Sunderland FC goalkeeper Jim Montgomery.
