A Better Alternative to Magnet Kitchens in Sussex — 18mm Rigid Units, 10-Day Delivery, No Showroom Pressure.
Rigid Built
Nationwide Delivery
Blum Soft Close
SJB Trade Kitchens: The Smarter Choice for Sussex Homeowners Over Magnet
For homeowners across Sussex, from the vibrant lanes of Brighton to the historic charm of Chichester, the rolling hills of the South Downs to the coastal beauty of Eastbourne, embarking on a kitchen renovation is an exciting, yet often daunting, prospect. When it comes to choosing a supplier, many naturally gravitate towards big names like Magnet Kitchens. However, for those in Hove, Worthing, Lewes, or even the picturesque villages nestled in the High Weald, a closer look reveals that SJB Trade Kitchens offers a refreshingly superior alternative, tailored to the discerning Sussex homeowner.
Sussex homes are as diverse as the landscape itself. Whether you’re updating a Victorian terrace in Kemptown, a 1930s semi in Durrington, a modern new-build in Haywards Heath, or a charming period cottage in Arundel, your kitchen needs to be more than just functional; it needs to be a heart of the home, reflecting your lifestyle and the unique character of your property. This is where the one-size-fits-all approach of larger retailers often falls short.
The Magnet Showroom Experience: A Familiar Frustration for Sussex Residents
Many Sussex homeowners have experienced the Magnet showroom. Perhaps you’ve driven to their nearest branch, be it in Brighton, Worthing, or further afield. The initial impression can be appealing – glossy displays, well-lit spaces. But beneath the surface, a common set of frustrations often emerges:
- High-Pressure Sales Tactics: The moment you walk in, you’re often assigned a designer whose primary goal seems to be closing a sale, not genuinely understanding your needs. This can lead to uncomfortable upselling and a feeling of being rushed.
- Inflated ‘Was/Now’ Pricing: The ubiquitous ‘sale’ or ‘discount’ often feels disingenuous, with initial quotes appearing artificially high only to be ‘reduced’ to a still-premium price. Transparency is often a casualty.
- Tied to a Fitter Network: While Magnet offers installation, you’re often tied into their network of approved fitters, which can limit your choice and potentially add to costs or delays if you already have a trusted local tradesperson in mind.
- Long Lead Times: A common complaint is the extensive wait for delivery. Six to ten weeks is not uncommon, a significant period for any household to be without a functioning kitchen, especially for families in bustling areas like Crawley or Shoreham-by-Sea.
- Limited Bespoke Options: While they offer a range of styles, true bespoke sizing or customisation beyond standard modules is often limited or comes at an exorbitant premium.
For a homeowner in Horsham meticulously planning their renovation, or a family in Burgess Hill needing a swift turnaround, these issues can quickly turn excitement into exasperation.
SJB Trade Kitchens: A Breath of Fresh Air for Sussex Renovations
Enter SJB Trade Kitchens, offering a refreshing, customer-centric approach that resonates deeply with the practical and quality-conscious Sussex homeowner. We understand that your kitchen isn’t just another room; it’s an investment in your home and your quality of life.
Uncompromising Quality: 18mm Solid Backs as Standard
One of the most significant differentiators for SJB Trade Kitchens is our commitment to superior construction. All our kitchen units come with 18mm solid backs. This isn’t an upgrade; it’s standard. Why does this matter for your home in East Grinstead or Bognor Regis?
- Enhanced Durability: Solid backs provide immense structural integrity, preventing bowing and sagging over time, crucial for heavy items in wall units.
- Easier Installation: Your local Sussex fitter will appreciate the rigidity, making installation smoother and more precise, especially in older properties with uneven walls.
- Improved Sound Insulation: A solid back helps to dampen noise from plumbing or appliances, contributing to a quieter kitchen environment.
- Longevity: This robust construction means your kitchen will withstand the rigours of daily life for years to come, a key consideration for any long-term investment.
Compare this to the thinner, often flimsy backs found in many mass-produced kitchens, and the choice for lasting quality becomes clear.
Bespoke Sizing Included: Perfect Fit for Every Sussex Home
Sussex homes, particularly period properties in places like Steyning or Rye, often come with unique dimensions, quirky alcoves, or challenging layouts. Magnet’s standard modular units can leave you with awkward gaps or wasted space. At SJB Trade Kitchens, bespoke sizing is included as standard. This means:
- Maximised Space: Every inch of your kitchen can be utilised efficiently, creating a truly tailored solution.
- Seamless Integration: Units fit perfectly, creating a clean, high-end finish that looks truly custom-made.
- No Compromise on Design: Your vision isn’t limited by off-the-shelf sizes. If you need a specific width for an appliance or a unique cabinet to fit a particular recess, we can accommodate it.
This level of customisation, without the premium price tag, is invaluable for homeowners looking to create a truly unique and functional kitchen.
Transparent Pricing & Direct Communication with Steve
Forget the confusing sales tactics. With SJB Trade Kitchens, you benefit from transparent pricing. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for, without hidden costs or artificial discounts. Furthermore, you communicate directly with Steve. There’s no middleman, no call centre, just direct, honest advice and service. This personal touch is something often lost with larger corporations and is highly valued by our Sussex customers.
While Steve is based in Altrincham and our showroom is in Oldham, the distance is no barrier to exceptional service. We work directly with our manufacturer to ensure your kitchen is designed and supplied to your exact specifications, no matter where you are in Sussex.
Rapid Delivery: Your Kitchen in Just 10 Days
For homeowners in Littlehampton or Uckfield eager to get their new kitchen installed and minimise disruption, the typical 6-10 week lead time from larger retailers is simply unacceptable. SJB Trade Kitchens offers an impressive 10-day delivery from the point of order confirmation. This means you can plan your renovation with confidence, knowing your units will arrive promptly, allowing your local Sussex fitter to get started without unnecessary delays.
A Partnership, Not Just a Purchase
When you choose SJB Trade Kitchens, you’re not just buying units; you’re entering into a partnership. We understand the local context of Sussex renovations – the need for quality that stands up to coastal air, the desire for designs that complement historic architecture, and the importance of working with local trades. We don’t tie you to an installation network; we supply the high-quality units, allowing you to work with your preferred, trusted Sussex fitter.
So, whether you’re planning a complete overhaul of a detached property in Storrington, a contemporary update to a flat in Brighton Marina, or a sympathetic renovation of a farmhouse in the South Downs National Park, consider SJB Trade Kitchens. Experience the difference that quality construction, bespoke sizing, transparent pricing, and direct, personal service can make to your kitchen project.
Contact Steve today to discuss your vision. Phone: 0161 509 4221 | Email: info@sjball.uk
Many national suppliers offer 18mm carcasses but use thinner back panels to reduce weight and cost. At SJB, that’s not a trade-off we’re willing to make. Every cabinet features full 18mm solid backs — your fitter will notice the difference the second they lift the unit. Magnet’s showroom kitchens look impressive in the display, but the back panel thickness is rarely discussed during the design appointment. SJB’s 18mm solid backs create a fully rigid box that resists racking and maintains structural integrity for decades — the same construction standard used in premium German kitchens, at a fraction of the price.
For Sussex homeowners investing in a new kitchen, this matters more than most people realise. Under the weight of stone worktops, heavy appliances, and daily use, thin-backed units can flex, go out of square, and cause doors and drawers to misalign over time. SJB’s 18mm backs eliminate this risk entirely.
| Feature | Magnet Kitchens | SJB Trade Kitchens |
|---|---|---|
| Carcass Thickness | 18mm | 18mm |
| Back Panel | Thinner backs (typical) | 18mm Solid |
| Drawer Boxes | Standard drawer boxes | Blum Antaro as standard; Legrabox or dovetail solid oak available as premium upgrades |
| Bespoke Widths | Limited bespoke sizing | Included as standard |
| Pricing Model | Showroom-based with inflated was/now pricing | Transparent, consistent pricing all year round |
| Support | Showroom sales team | Direct with Steve — 20 years experience |
| Delivery | 6-10 weeks | From 10 working days |
Got a Magnet Quote? We’ll Beat It.
Magnet kitchens are sold through a showroom model with inflated “was/now” pricing and permanent sale figures that rarely reflect the true market price. SJB Trade Kitchens offers transparent, consistent pricing all year round — no showroom markup, no high-pressure sales appointments, no being tied to their fitter network.
Send us your Magnet quote and we’ll come back with a like-for-like price. Most customers save hundreds — sometimes thousands.
Frequently Asked Questions
While our showroom is based in Oldham, we serve customers all over the UK, including Brighton and the wider Sussex area. We work directly with our manufacturer to supply your kitchen, and all design consultations can be done remotely via phone and email. We provide detailed plans and visuals, ensuring you’re completely happy with your design before any commitment.
Absolutely. Thanks to our streamlined model and commitment to transparent pricing, we are often able to offer a significantly better value proposition than Magnet, especially when comparing like-for-like quality and features such as 18mm solid backs and bespoke sizing. Send us your Magnet quote, and we’ll provide a direct comparison for your Chichester home.
For period properties in Lewes, 18mm solid backs are crucial for long-term durability and stability. They provide superior structural integrity, preventing units from racking or sagging, which is especially important when walls might not be perfectly plumb. This robust construction ensures your kitchen stands the test of time and heavy use, complementing the enduring quality of your home.
For your new build in Haywards Heath, you can expect an impressive delivery time of just 10 working days from the point of order confirmation. This rapid turnaround significantly reduces disruption and allows you to coordinate your project with your local fitters much more efficiently than the longer lead times typically experienced with larger retailers.
Yes, absolutely. We specialise in accommodating challenging layouts and awkward dimensions, which are common in 1930s semis in Worthing. Bespoke sizing is included as standard with SJB Trade Kitchens, meaning we can tailor units to fit perfectly into any recess or unusual space, ensuring maximum functionality and a seamless, custom-built appearance for your kitchen.
From Design to Reality: See the Difference
Every SJB kitchen starts with a detailed CAD design so you can see exactly how your finished kitchen will look before a single unit is ordered. Here is what that looks like in practice.

The CAD design produced by Steve before the kitchen was ordered

The finished kitchen installed by the customer — exactly as designed
“Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine and to be trusted. Really easy to work with. Couldn’t do enough and always on hand.
The kitchen was amazing quality and the kitchen looked exactly like the images he produced on his computer. The units came ready built which saved a lot of time! Even if you’re not a joiner it was really easy to assemble and fit.
The kitchen is great quality and a VERY competitive price! 100% recommended! Thank you so much!”
— Scott, verified SJB Trade Kitchens customer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Our Customers Say
Request Your Free Quote or Quote Comparison Below
Already have a Magnet quote? Upload it using the form below and Steve will come back with a like-for-like price comparison — usually within 24 hours.
Made to Order & Delivered in 10 Working Days
Rigid Built Cabinets with Blum Soft Close as Standard
Nationwide Delivery Available
SJB Trade Kitchens | Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB
Phone: 0161 509 4221 | Email: info@sjball.uk
SJB Trade Kitchens is an independent kitchen specialist. All competitor names are used for comparative purposes only based on publicly available specifications. SJB Trade Kitchens is not affiliated with Howdens, Wren Kitchens, Magnet, or DIY Kitchens.







