“We’re genuinely excited to share that Counter Interiors has been shortlisted for four categories at the YorkWorks Business Awards 2026 – Independent Business of The Year, Business of The Year, Best Customer Experience, and Best Trades or Property Services Business.”

What This Means to Us

When Luke established Counter Interiors in York back in 2013, the vision was clear. Design exceptional kitchens and bedrooms that balance premium aesthetics with practical functionality. Manage every project from initial consultation through to installation and beyond. Build relationships with clients that last years, not just until the final invoice is paid.

Thirteen years later, those principles haven’t changed. What has changed is the scale. A 3,200 square foot showroom in Kettlestring Park. Exclusive partnerships with premium manufacturers including NEFF, Siemens, Quooker, and Sub-Zero & Wolf. KBSA approval and Trustmark endorsement. And most importantly, a community of clients who trust us enough to refer their friends, family, and colleagues.

These four nominations feel like recognition of all of that. Not just the quality of what we design and install, but how we look after people throughout the journey.

Best Customer Experience

Of the four categories, Best Customer Experience feels particularly meaningful. It represents what Luke and Becky have built Counter Interiors around – the transparent Customer Journey process, the detailed project management with Gantt charts coordinating every tradesperson, the bi-annual cookery demonstrations helping clients get the most from their appliances years after installation.

After two decades in the industry, you start noticing what goes wrong in kitchen projects. Poor communication. Unrealistic timelines. Clients left to coordinate multiple tradespeople themselves. Appliances installed but never properly explained.

Counter Interiors exists to solve those problems. Every client receives the same careful attention whether they’re investing £25,000 or £100,000. Personal design by Luke or Clare. Complete project management. Genuine aftercare that continues long after we’ve left.

That approach has built something we’re proud of. And these nominations – particularly Best Customer Experience – suggest clients have noticed.

Independent Business of The Year & Business of The Year

Being shortlisted for both Independent Business of The Year and the overall Business of The Year category put Counter Interiors alongside some exceptional York businesses.

What sets us apart as an independent is the combination of family business values with premium manufacturer backing. Luke’s hands-on fitting background means technical expertise permeates every design. Becky’s organisational skills ensure seamless project coordination. And our children have literally grown up in the business, creating an authentic family approach that clients connect with.

We’re selective about our partnerships – two kitchen manufacturers, carefully chosen appliance brands, two sink and tap suppliers. That focus means we know every single product inside out. When there’s a problem, we never get the wrong cable to the hob, because we’ve done the training. We’ve fitted it dozens of times. We understand it completely.

That’s the independent advantage. Personal service combined with professional expertise and premium partnerships.

Best Trades or Property Services Business

This category recognises the practical reality of what we do. Counter Interiors doesn’t just design beautiful spaces. We manage the entire installation process – plumbers, electricians, plasterers, fitters – all coordinated according to detailed timelines.

Clients receive one point of contact for their entire project. No stress coordinating multiple tradespeople. No confusion about who’s responsible when something needs adjusting. Just a managed process from planning through to completion, with quality checks at every stage.

That project management expertise, combined with Luke’s technical background and our team of specialist fitters, means installations run smoothly. Timelines are realistic. Problems are solved proactively. And the final result matches the 3D renders we showed at the design presentation.

What Happens Next

Round 1 public voting is open now until 16th April 2026. The top five businesses in each category will then go through to a final public vote running from 20th April to 31st May, with the awards ceremony taking place on 18th June.

If you’ve worked with Counter Interiors and you’d like to support us, you can vote here: https://yorkworks.co.uk/vote/ If you know someone who might appreciate what we do, sharing this news would mean the world to us.

Whatever happens over the coming months, we’re grateful. Grateful to be recognised. Grateful to the clients who’ve trusted us with their homes. Grateful to the York community that’s supported an independent family business for thirteen years.

And grateful to everyone who takes the time to vote.

About Counter Interiors

Counter Interiors is York’s largest independent kitchen showroom, established in 2013 by Luke Counter. Specialising in premium kitchens and bedroom furniture, the family business combines expert design with complete project management, creating spaces that clients love living in for years to come. Based at Unit 9 Kettlestring Park, York, the 3,200 square foot showroom features displays from premium manufacturers and is open for consultations and virtual tours. For more information, visit counterinteriors.co.uk/ or call 01904 479792