Kitchen World Worcester Ltd, known for its specialised bespoke kitchen, bathroom and bedroom designs, was first established in 1974.

They cater for homes in Worcester, Droitwich, Malvern, and Tewksbury and further afield to the West Midlands.

It is a small family run business with over 40 years of experience. Hayley Sherwood, Director of Kitchen World, took over the family business with brothers Mark (director and designer) and Gary (director).

The company is now in the third generation of the family, there are currently seven members of the team, three of them are family and the other staff have worked at Kitchen World for over ten years.

The business was first set up by Hayley's grandparents, along with her father and uncles.

Hayley said: “Having a really close-knit, small team is great as we can be familiar with customers and really get to know them.”

Mark Allen started at Kitchen World when he was just 17, starting in the warehouse learning the products, then working his way up to designer. He has now been in the family business for over 20 years.

Gary Allen started at Kitchen World as a warehouse manager, then eventually becoming a designer, he has been in the family business for 17 years.

Hayley started as an office manager at the business in her earlier 20’s. Alongside working in advertising and accounts with her father she has been in the family business for over 19 years.

When asked if she had always wanted to carry on the family business, she replied: “I think when you leave school not many of us know what we want to do, sometimes we just come across a job at the right time. Other times it takes us a bit longer to realise what we actually want to do.”

Hayley’s advice to anyone starting up a business? “There are ups and downs in a family business but over time if you build up a good reputation and continue good relationships with customers it becomes easier.”