Paul Gidley on the new Cosentino City Manchester design destination

Set to open in November, Cosentino UK's brand-new 280sq m space will offer an immersive experience across its Silestone, Dekton and Sensa brands – regional director Paul Gidley explains how K&B retailers and designers can maximise it.

Q: What inspired the opening of the new showroom and why is this location important?
A: For us, it’s about proximity and purpose. After the opening of our London showroom back in 2023, we were looking as to where else in the country we should open a new Cosentino City. As Manchester is rapidly becoming a global nexus for design and architecture, home to pioneering studios, bold urban regeneration and a thriving specification community, we wanted to be right at the centre of it. Being here puts us closer to the architects, designers and fabricators shaping the future of the built environment.

Our investment into the city underscores our long-term commitment to the North, where we see extraordinary potential for innovation, sustainable growth and collaboration. The showroom will be a hands-on hub for material exploration, project co-creation and education. It’s a place where our team can sit shoulder to shoulder with the community, helping our partners deliver outstanding surfaces and solutions across residential, commercial and public projects.

Q: What key elements did you focus on in the showroom design and layout?
A: We designed the space to work the way designers work – hands on, fluid, and collaborative. Every touchpoint is intentional including clear sightlines, generous work zones, and hero displays that let Silestone, Dekton and Sensa do the talking. The journey encourages movement and conversation, with plenty of room to pull samples, compare finishes, and test combinations in real light. It’s an environment built to unlock ideas.

Q: Why should kitchen and bathroom designers consider Cosentino surfaces for their projects?
A: Kitchen and bathroom designers choose Cosentino for performance, design freedom and reliability. Our ranges offer the beauty designers demand with the durability real homes and high-traffic spaces require. From the ultra-compact Dekton, known for its extreme resistance to scratches, stains, and heat, to the versatility of Silestone, offering a wide array of colours and textures with reliable protection, and the natural character and tactility of Sensa. You get materials engineered for longevity without compromising on look or feel.

As our surfaces can be used across multiple applications – from worktops, splashbacks and cladding to floors and bespoke furniture, Cosentino has an impressive breadth of products to meet every project. And with the impending launch of Eclos, our new and innovative inlayered mineral surface brand, we will further enhance our product portfolio. Backed by local technical support, a large sample library and product training, we help designers specify confidently and execute beautifully, on time, on budget and built to last.

Q: How will the new showroom help kitchen and bathroom designers in their specification process?
A: Specification becomes faster, clearer and more confident. Designers can see true scale, read veining and texture properly and assess colours under accurate lighting. It’s also a collaborative specification space to bring clients, build palettes together, and test options side by side. That tactile clarity simplifies decisions and expands what’s possible creatively.

Q: Can designers bring clients into the showroom to collaborate on material selection?
A: Absolutely – that’s exactly what it’s for. We’ve created an environment where designers and clients can explore ranges together, compare alternatives in real time, and make informed choices in a professional, inspiring setting. The showroom is for our clients and customers.

Q: How do you see the role of a showroom evolving in an increasingly digital design world?
A: Material selection is still a sensory decision. We see the future being blended with robust digital tools for discovery and specification, anchored by physical spaces that provide the truth of touch, scale and light. Showrooms will remain essential places where technology, craftsmanship and face-to-face conversation meet to move projects forward, none of which can be fully achieved by solely digital alternatives.