History

THOMAS HENRY GORRINGE started the family business in the summer of 1939 but with the interruption of the war and subsequent supply difficulties it was 1952 before he was able to finally commence general house building. In 1959 Anne joined the business and in 1960 the company purchased the Charlwood Village building business, T. Wickens, thus acquiring large storage and workshop facilities.

Following her father's death in 1979 Anne decided to concentrate the business on interiors rather than general construction and in 1981, with the help of her sister Jean, by now a key member of the company, the new kitchen centre was opened in a very small area of the Charlwood premises. Many alterations later the ground floor at Charlwood now displays both purpose-made traditional and German Nolte kitchens; the smaller first floor area is devoted to bedrooms and bathrooms.

As the business expanded, further shops were opened in East Grinstead (1984) and Haywards Heath (1987). In this truly family business Jean manages the Charlwood showroom with the part time help of her daughter Lisa, and Anne and her son Max look after the East Grinstead and Haywards Heath showrooms. In 1988 Anne's husband Don joined the company and manages all administration and accountancy matters.

The company's principal activity at the present time is the supply and installation of purpose-made English traditional kitchens, German kitchens from the Nolte range and fitted bedrooms - both purpose-made / hand painted and standard finishes. Installed kitchens cost from around £15,000 and bedrooms from around £3,500. Due to the amount of work in hand, we have had to restrict enquiries for bathrooms to past kitchen / bedroom customers; please ask a member of staff for the current position on this matter.