Undercover shopper review by the cabinet maker - There website click here on 10 nov

Country pine has stores in leek and bakewell. Its Macclesfield outlet is a temporary location on a short lease and a short walk from mill street. Inside it is bright, welcoming and completely packed with furniture and accessories, from tables and beds to giant art prints and mirrors.

The sales assistant greeted me when I arrived and I got the impression that country pine is a friendly, family business. She had to leave to take a phone call but I was content to browse. When she returned she took time to explain the features and materials of the furniture, and to write down the product details. I was impressed with the quality of the furniture, which was higher than I'd seen at any other Macclesfield retailer including Arighi Bianchi. The pacific range was oil oak, the milano solid oak and the camden cream painted solid pine with a solid oak top. All looked great and felt sturdy.

The milano range looked like it would be at home in any bedroom, and fell within my budget. The Bedside table was £129, the five drawer wide chest was £389 and the double wardrobe was £399. I also loved the look of the camden cream furniture as weel. As the white paint complemented the darker colour of the wood. However, it only had a small bedside table in stock, and although the sales assistant explained the wider range was aailable, it was difficult at the time to envisage. The bedside table was £75, a 4 over 2 chest £299 qnd a double wardrobe £299, ON MY BUDGET I COULD EVEN AFFORD A MATCHING DOUBLE BED AT £299.

Country pine does deliveries every week and I was assured that anything could be delivered before christmas.
This was the best small independat retailer I visited in Macclesfield, and I enjoyed the friendly service and the quality produxts. The only was this could have been improved was if the full camden range had been in stock.

3 stars