The Kitchen Range, which has been around since 1983, has seen many things over the years and in 2025 it was taken over by new owners and moved location, but remains in the Welsh town of Llandudno. Will McGill spoke to the retailer to find out more.
Llandudno, with its elegant Victorian architecture, sweeping promenade, and timeless air of traditional seaside charm, has long been one of North Wales’s most beloved destinations. Set between the Great Orme and the Little Orme, the town attracts millions of visitors each year, drawn by the views, the atmosphere, and the warm welcome that defines this coastal gem. But on Mostyn Street—one of the busiest high streets in the region—there’s another reason people stop, linger, and explore: The Kitchen Range, a name that has woven itself into the retail fabric of the town for more than forty years.
The Kitchen Range first appeared in 1983, founded by a local retailer who believed passionately in bringing high-quality kitchenware to Llandudno. Over the decades, the shop became a fixture, one of those places locals grew up with and visitors returned to year after year. So when the store closed earlier this year, it left a noticeable gap. The reaction from the community made one thing clear: the name still meant something.
Today, under new owners, The Kitchen Range has returned, with a fresh identity, a brighter space, modern systems, and a renewed sense of purpose, the shop is once again ready to serve cooks, bakers, food lovers, and anyone who appreciates the joy of well-made tools.
Q&A
Question (Q): Can you tell us about the origins of The Kitchen Range and what inspired its founding back in 1983?
The Kitchen Range (TKR):
The Kitchen Range has been part of Llandudno’s high street history for over four decades. It first opened in 1983, established by a local retailer who shared a deep passion for quality kitchenware and who saw an opportunity to bring something different to the town. Over the years, the store built a reputation for knowledgeable service, trusted brands, and reliable products—qualities that customers still associate with the name today.
Although the business is now under new ownership, the affection people continue to hold for The Kitchen Range was a key inspiration for bringing it back. The relaunch gave us the opportunity to honour that heritage while creating a more modern, forward-thinking version of the brand. Our focus is on blending that history with fresh energy, ensuring we stay true to what people loved about the original store while meeting the expectations of today’s shoppers.
Q: How has the business evolved, and what key lessons have you learned from running an independent store?
TKR:
The values people have always associated with The Kitchen Range—trust, personal service, and genuine product knowledge—remain at the heart of what we do. But the retail world has changed dramatically since the 1980s, and so have customer expectations. We’ve invested heavily in updated systems, improved digital communication, and more efficient operations.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is the importance of balance: keeping the depth and warmth of traditional customer service while embracing the tools that make modern shopping more seamless. Customers want authenticity, but they also want convenience. They want human interaction, but they also want the option to browse, order, research, and engage digitally. The evolution of the business reflects that duality.
Q: What motivated the decision to reopen the store after its closure earlier this year, and what opportunities did you see in relaunching?
TKR:
The community response to the closure was incredibly powerful. People were genuinely disappointed to see a specialist kitchenware store disappear from the high street. That reaction confirmed something important: the demand was still there, not only from local residents who remembered the original store, but also from tourists who visit Llandudno year after year.
We saw the relaunch as an opportunity to preserve what the name represented—quality, expertise, and dependable service—while reimagining it for a new generation. The market for kitchenware remains strong, and consumers today appreciate stores that offer both practicality and inspiration. Relaunching allowed us to build on that foundation with a new look, a clearer brand identity, and a more vibrant approach that appeals to a wider audience.
Q: How would you describe the current state of the business and customer demand since reopening?
TKR:
There’s no question that retail is challenging at the moment, with pressures affecting businesses across the UK. But the response we’ve had since opening our doors has been very encouraging. Customers who remembered the previous store have returned with enthusiasm, and first-time visitors are discovering us thanks to our new location and stronger digital presence.
What we’re seeing most clearly is a growing appetite for products that offer genuine value. Customers aren’t just looking for the lowest price—they’re looking for practicality, durability, and honest quality. They want items that last and that make everyday cooking more enjoyable. That focus on value aligns perfectly with what we aim to offer.
Q: What have been some of the biggest highs and lows of managing The Kitchen Range since the reopening?
TKR:
Reopening a well-known name has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing customers’ reactions when they first walk into the refreshed store is always a highlight—especially for those who have fond memories of the original shop. That sense of nostalgia is something we deeply appreciate.
Our biggest challenge was timing. We had a very tight schedule to complete the renovation and rebrand, and with Llandudno being so busy during the summer tourist season, it was vital that we opened early enough to build momentum. That period was intense—long days, fast decisions, and a strong desire to get everything right.
Rebranding was another delicate challenge. We wanted to honour the heritage of The Kitchen Range without feeling dated. Striking that balance between fresh and familiar was not easy, but watching our new identity take shape has been one of the most gratifying parts of the journey. In many ways, the ongoing evolution—seeing the store find its rhythm, its style, and its voice—has been the biggest high of all.
Q: How has moving to a new location influenced your operations, product range, or customer engagement?
TKR:
Our new location at 105 Mostyn Street has made a tremendous difference. It’s a prime spot with excellent footfall, and the storefront and canopy give us standout visibility. The nature of the building itself also opened up possibilities. We were able to lift the ceiling and create a brighter, more open environment that feels modern, welcoming, and spacious.
A fresh space also gave us the chance to reconsider how we display and merchandise our products. Every area was designed with the customer experience in mind, from the layout of the shelves to the flow of the store. The new location supports additional services as well, helping us modernise operations behind the scenes through improved infrastructure and more efficient technology.
Overall, it’s allowed us to express the refreshed values that guided our relaunch: clarity, quality, thoughtful design, and a warm welcome.
Q: What strategies or innovations have you introduced to support business growth?
TKR:
One of our goals has been to enhance the customer experience both in-store and online. We’ve introduced a shopping-holding service to make browsing easier, and we’re developing an order-to-store service for items we don’t currently stock. This allows us to cater to more customers and ensures they can access a wider range of products without compromising convenience.
Digitally, we’ve launched an email newsletter that customers can sign up for at checkout. It’s a place where we share updates, kitchen tips, product insights, and useful resources—adding value beyond the shop floor. Our new website allows customers to explore our range, learn more about our products, and stay connected with the brand.
We’ve also expanded our presence on social media. It’s a platform not just to promote products, but to share personality: behind-the-scenes stories, expert advice, and moments of fun that help customers understand who we are and what we stand for.
Behind the scenes, modernising and centralising our systems has made stock management and ordering more efficient, enabling us to serve customers more seamlessly.
Q: How do you maintain strong supplier relationships and ensure your product range meets diverse customer needs?
TKR:
Supplier relationships are incredibly important to us. While we’ve introduced new digital tools, we firmly believe that nothing replaces the value of face-to-face conversations. Before we opened to the public, we held a launch celebration exclusively for suppliers. It allowed them to see the new store, understand the direction we were taking, and collaborate with us on how best to present and support their products.
Since then, we’ve stayed in close contact with our suppliers, discussing what’s working, what customers respond to, and how we can showcase their ranges more effectively—from dedicated displays to improved visual merchandising. We choose brands known for their craftsmanship and reliability while also introducing new ranges that bring fresh ideas to the kitchen.
Listening to customers plays a huge role too. We’ve put systems in place to gather feedback and understand what people are looking for—whether it’s professional-grade tools, everyday essentials, or thoughtful gifts. The goal is to maintain a product range that is versatile, relevant, and genuinely useful.
Q: What is selling well right now, and why?
TKR:
Everyday essentials continue to perform strongly—items that people rely on daily and want to trust. Ceramics, kitchen gadgets, and durable utensils are consistently popular, especially when they offer a combination of practicality and long-lasting quality.
Gifting products are another standout. Our tea towels, including the coffee-themed gift set, have become a customer favourite, and our range of design-led espresso cups appeal to coffee lovers of all kinds. These items combine functionality with personality, making them ideal gifts for visitors and locals alike.
Q: From a retailer’s perspective, what improvements would make it easier to run a successful store?
TKR:
Vibrant town centres are essential for independent retail. Investment in high streets, diverse business communities, and forward-thinking planning helps create environments where small businesses can thrive. For younger businesses like ours, having a supportive and collaborative network has been invaluable.
The future of independent retail depends on accessible, well-maintained, and dynamic high streets—places that attract both locals and visitors. When the wider environment thrives, every retailer benefits.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the shop?
TKR:
Our priority is thoughtful, sustainable growth. We plan to continue refining our product range, enhancing the in-store experience, and building on our digital presence. We want every visit—whether in person or online—to feel personal, enjoyable, and worthwhile.
Strengthening our connection with the local community is incredibly important, as is welcoming the many visitors who discover Llandudno each year. Through our shop, website, and newsletter, we hope to share products, ideas, and expertise that help people enjoy their kitchens even more.
Ultimately, our long-term goal is to become the go-to destination for kitchenware in North Wales—known for our range, our service, and our genuine love of good food and good tools.
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