A KITCHEN company that opened for business at the height of the credit crunch is becoming part of a national network.

Husband and wife team Steve and Sandra Slack are changing the name of Klasplan Kitchens in Jesmond Road, Newcastle, to Wilson Fink, as it becomes part of the new national retail division of Arlington International Agencies.

Under the rebranding, their shop will become the company’s North East flagship showroom and will offer additional sales support and purchasing power.

The deal also gives the Slacks access to the UK's only 3D virtual reality kitchen design facility, which is at Wilson Fink's showroom in Manchester.

Customers use 3D glasses to view exactly what their kitchen will look like on a 120-inch screen. The technology is so advanced that it allows the user to “walk” through their new kitchen and view all angles, so they can make any changes to the design before it is installed.

Steve Slack said: “Although this system is currently in our Manchester showroom, there are future plans to bring it to Newcastle.

“In the meantime, we are happy to take our customers to Manchester to see their new kitchen designs - it's all part of our service.

“We've seen things differently and moved on light years since we became part of the Wilson Fink network and now with this 3D technology, our customers can do the same.”