Debbie Leslie owner of Kitchens and Bedrooms has lived in her 1930s semi-detached house in Stockton Heath for the past 22 years. She was in the accountancy business before getting involved in the family firm. Her sister works alongside her and her son is one of the fitters for the company, so it’s a real “family affair”

Why Stockton Heath?

I lived in Appleton and Grappenhall before moving here so it was already familiar area however one of the main reasons for moving to Stockton Heath was its excellent schools. I have two children James now 22 and Sammy who is 17, they went to Cobbs Infants School Broomfields Junior School and then to Bridgewater High which were the schools that I and my sister had attended. The fact that they I knew they worked appealed to me. My priority was a good education for my children.

What attracts you to the village?

The fact that it has changed over the years I’ve been here. There is now a much greater variety on the high street than there was when I first came here - a much wider choice in restaurants and shops and I love being able to go out in the evening for a drink or something to eat and not have to get a taxi back home.

Any favourites?

One favourite is Piccolino’s although we have several really excellent places to eat out including Ego and Tom’s Above 101. Our local Chinese changed hands recently so I’ll probably try that some time in the new year.

And what about the shopping?

Again there is a lot of variety here, from the wonderful gift shop, All That Jazz where you can find presents for almost everyone, to designer boutiques like the Lemon Tree. A new old-fashion style sweet shop has just opened in the village and although I haven’t yet been there my daughter says it’s great fun. We have a couple of supermarkets a florist, in fact everything we need very close to home.

Anything else?

My daughter goes to Johnson’s hairdressers and my son used to go to the local barber. We have a doctors’ surgery within the village and lots of coffee shops.

Is it a friendly place?

I’ve spent much of my life here and know it very well so maybe such familiarity means I’m a bit biased but I’ve always found it a friendly place to live. Visitors are always very complimentary about the place, so I think we must be a friendly village!

Anything you might change about Stockton Heath?

As it is such an attractive place it could be in danger of being overrun with coffee shops and restaurants but I actually think we have got the balance right here and there really isn’t anything I would want to change.

Is it easy to get to work?

My business, Kitchens and Bedrooms is a couple of miles away. The company specialises in kitchen and bedroom design and we pride ourselves on being a family business, small enough to take care of clients every step of the way. We supply everything from materials, to the workforce, including tilers, joiners plumbers and electricians. We also do a lot of revamps so that people can keep their existing kitchen units but change their doors and work surfaces. Have I ever done that? Of course I have! I’ve had it done numerous times in my house! I use my own workforce for all my jobs. For example they are currently installing a glass staircase into my house. I would never employ anyone I wouldn’t trust to do a job in my own home.

www.slidingdoorswarrington.co.uk