Looking for a Howdens Alternative in Hyde?

Living in Hyde, you’ll know that our homes have a bit more character than most. With the Pennines on our doorstep, we have everything from old stone terraces to hillside houses with incredible views. So when it comes to a new kitchen, a standard, off-the-shelf solution from the Howdens depot in Ashton-under-Lyne just doesn’t feel right. You need something that respects the unique nature of your property, and that’s where I come in. If you’ve been searching for the best alternative to Howdens kitchens, you’re in the right place.

I’m Steve, and at SJB Trade Kitchens, I do things differently. I believe a kitchen should be as individual as the home it’s in. That’s why I offer a personal, direct service, supplying high-quality, rigid-built kitchens that are made to order, often for significantly less than you’d pay for a standard flat-pack kitchen from a trade-only supplier once your fitter has added their markup.


📋 Data Accuracy Notice — All specifications on this page are based on publicly available information as of 2026. We welcome manufacturers to submit updated specifications directly to info@sjball.uk — we’ll update our data within 48 hours. We’re committed to accuracy, and we’re happy to be checked.

The Pennine-Fringe Kitchen Choice: Why Hyde Homeowners Choose SJB

You get a kitchen that’s built to last, not just to sell. Around Hyde, whether you’re in a modern semi in Gee Cross or an older stone property, you need a kitchen that can handle daily life. My cabinets are built from 18mm rigid Egger board, including the backs. Howdens kitchens often use a flimsy hardboard back that can bow and warp over time, especially in older homes which might have slightly damp walls. My kitchens are solid through and through, ensuring they stand the test of time.

You get honest, transparent pricing without the confusing trade discounts. I don’t have a network of expensive depots to run, so my prices are consistently 30-50% lower than Howdens’ list prices. More importantly, the price I quote you is the price you pay. There are no secret trade accounts or builder’s markups. It’s a straightforward, honest way of doing business that I know people in Hyde appreciate.

You deal directly with me, the owner, from start to finish. When you buy from a big depot, you’re just another order number. At SJB, you get a personal service. I’m the one who’ll guide you through the design process, answer your questions, and make sure everything is perfect. I’ve been in the kitchen industry for over 20 years, and I put that experience to work for every single customer.

You get a kitchen that’s genuinely made for your home. The character-filled properties in and around Hyde, from stone cottages to family homes with views of the Peak District, often have quirks that standard-sized flat-pack units can’t accommodate. Because my kitchens are made to order, we can create custom sizes and solutions that make the most of your space, providing a truly bespoke fit without the bespoke price tag.


PWS Porter Gloss Handleless
PWS Remo Gloss Regiment, SJB DIY Kitchen Supplier

Lucente Gloss Handleless Kitchens
Phoenix Acrylic Gloss Handleless Kitchen

Built for the Pennine Edge: Quality That Lasts

A key difference you’ll find in my kitchens is the construction. I use 18mm solid backs in all my cabinets as standard. Howdens, like many others, uses a thin sheet of hardboard. In the varied housing stock we have in Hyde, from older stone-built terraces to modern family semis in Gee Cross, this makes a huge difference. A solid back provides essential rigidity, preventing the cabinet from twisting or bowing and ensuring it stays square for years to come, protecting your investment.

It’s not just the cabinet backs; it’s the whole construction. My kitchens are delivered to you as rigid-built units, not as a pile of flat-pack boxes. This means they are assembled by experts in a controlled factory environment, ensuring a perfect, strong finish that’s far superior to a flat-pack assembled on-site. This is especially important for hillside properties or older homes where floors may not be perfectly level.

I also refuse to compromise on the components you can’t see. Every kitchen I supply comes with premium Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners. These are the moving parts that take all the strain of daily use. Using the best hardware on the market ensures your kitchen doors will always hang perfectly and your drawers will glide smoothly, no matter how many times the kids slam them shut.


Kitchens Designed for Hyde's Unique Properties

The beauty of homes in areas like Hyde, Gee Cross, and Mottram is their individuality. A stone cottage has different needs to a 1970s semi, and a standard kitchen often fails to make the most of the space. Because my kitchens are genuinely made-to-order, we can overcome any challenge your property throws at us. Whether it’s creating units to fit a sloping ceiling in a hillside home or designing a layout that works around a chimney breast in a Victorian terrace, we can build it for you.

This flexibility means you don’t have to compromise on your vision. With over 300 different finishes and a wide range of door styles, we can create a look that is perfectly in tune with your home’s character. My free design service helps you explore all the possibilities, ensuring the final kitchen is not just a functional space, but a true reflection of your style and a perfect fit for your unique Hyde home.


A Personal Service the Big Depots Can't Match

When you deal with SJB, you deal directly with me, Steve. I’m not a salesperson; I’m the owner, and I have over two decades of experience in every part of the kitchen industry. I’ll personally oversee your project from the initial design chat to the final delivery, ensuring you get exactly what you want without any hassle or pushy sales tactics.

I know that choosing a kitchen is a big decision, and I think it’s important you can see and feel the quality for yourself. That’s why I have a showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. It’s a straightforward drive of about 20 minutes from Hyde, and it’s the best way to understand the difference a rigid-built cabinet makes. You can see the solid backs and the premium hardware first-hand.

My service extends across the whole area, so whether you’re in Hyde itself, Gee Cross, Hattersley, Godley, Newton, Mottram, or Broadbottom, you can benefit from a local, personal service that the big national depots simply can’t match.


FAQ – SJB Trade Kitchens vs Howdens in Hyde

Can homeowners buy from Howdens directly in Hyde?

No, Howdens operates on a trade-only basis, meaning you can’t purchase directly from their nearest depot in Ashton-under-Lyne. You must use a builder or fitter with an account, who will then add their own markup to the final price you pay.

How do your prices compare to Howdens?

Because I supply directly to you without the large overheads of a depot network, my prices are typically 30-50% lower than the prices you would end up paying for a comparable Howdens kitchen. I offer clear, consistent pricing all year round, without the confusing ‘special offers’ or trade discounts.

Can I visit a showroom near Hyde?

Absolutely. My showroom is at Unit N, Central Trading Estate in Oldham, which is an easy drive of about 20 minutes from most parts of Hyde. You can come and see the quality of the rigid-built cabinets for yourself and we can have a proper chat about your project.

Do you deliver to Hyde?

Yes, I deliver my fully assembled, rigid-built kitchens across Hyde and the surrounding areas, including Gee Cross, Hattersley, and Broadbottom. Your new kitchen will arrive ready to install, saving your fitter time and saving you money on installation costs.


Explore Our Kitchen Styles

Not sure which style is right for you? Browse all six of our kitchen ranges below — click any image to see the full range and individual product options.

Handleless Matt Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Manchester

Handleless – Matt

modern matt slab kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Slab – Matt

Shaker Kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Shaker – Foil


Handleless Gloss Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Altrincham

Handleless – Gloss

Modern Gloss Kitchens Manchester - SJB Trade Kitchens

Slab – Gloss

Painted Shaker Kitchens Altrincham - Trade Kitchen Supplier

Shaker – Painted

What Our Customers Say

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Ameer Latif profile picture
Ameer Latif
30 August 2026
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We will get back with a quote within 24 hours they say, 10 days, 3 emails with pictures, sizes and plans and not one reply.. Not even a we cant help you
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Fleetkleen UK profile picture
Fleetkleen UK
26 July 2026
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Top service fantastic quality kitchen supplied with fully built units at an amazing price that I’ve not found anywhere else, would highly recommend giving Steve a call, will need his services again very soon.
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Naz K profile picture
Naz K
25 June 2026
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Fantastic experience with Steve from start to finish. He designed an amazing kitchen in a small space and truly went above and beyond what I expected. He took the time to listen carefully to my ideas and requirements, and was never pushy throughout the process. His knowledge, creativity, and attention to detail really stood out at every stage. Everything was planned and executed with care, and he made sure even the smallest details were perfect. The end result is a beautifully designed, highly functional kitchen that I’m absolutely thrilled with. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Emma Bradshaw
13 May 2026
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After visiting a few "big brand" kitchen places & being absolutely gob smacked at the prices, the pushy salesmen & the amazing "discounts" they claimed were on for "1 week only".... I went searching for a small local business. I found SJB on eBay initially & then popped along to his Instagram account to have a nosey at his products etc. I dropped him a message & got a reply pretty much straight away. I sent our measurements, needs & ideas & Steve got to work & brought our design to life! He worked fast & was extremely helpful. He made changes if we wanted them, he went hunting for a particular handle I wanted (a lot cheaper too as 1 company wanted £12 a handle, Steve found them for just £4) We visited his show room to make sure because we weren't being charged the earth, we weren't getting a cheap / flimsy product. Well we absolutely weren't! We had a slight issue with one of the cabinets being damaged upon arrival, spoke to Steve, who immediately ordered a replacement to be sent. Steve was contactable throughout, nothing was too much trouble, & he's just a genuine nice guy, who runs a fantastic small business. 100% recommend using SJB Trade Kitchens especially over the giant money grabbing companies!
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Elizabeth Orbell profile picture
Elizabeth Orbell
21 April 2026
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Steve designed and provided all the quality parts necessary for my fitter to make up this beautiful kitchen. All arrived promptly and any queries were responded to immediately and efficiently. Steve is highly professional and easy to get along with which makes a huge difference in our busy world! I would definitely recommend Steve and will use him on my next build. Thank you !
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Scott
1 April 2026
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Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine & 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!
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Natasha Conway profile picture
Natasha Conway
25 March 2026
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I cannot stress how happy I am with my kitchen from SJB. We didn’t had a great experience with our builder during the renovation of our house however the final kitchen made up for it. SJB offered high quality finishes at quick turnarounds and even made a custom made island which is better than I ever expected. I will be returning soon to SJB for my bedroom wardrobes!
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Tina Walsall profile picture
Tina Walsall
12 January 2026
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I came across SJB on Ebay, and contacted Steve. He was very helpful in inviting us to his kitchen showroom to look at the various kitchens. This helped a lot as he was on site to talk us through ideas and suggestions. We chose, what we thought, a relatively priced kitchen as it was for a rental property, but the finished result has been just amazing! It looks so expensive, even the fitter said it was very good quality for a fraction of what other places charge. Steve kindly designed the kitchen, gave us good ideas and was always available on the phone if we ever needed advice. I have never purchased a kitchen without the company providing a fitter as I have always doubted if the kitchen would fit how it should, but this has completely changed my perception. It has been flawless and friends and family have compared it to their much more expensive ones, saying this looks amazing and better than theirs! If you need a kitchen, with a gentleman that goes over and above, SJB is the place to go. You will not be disappointed, the whole process has been stress free thanks to Steve, I honestly cannot thank him enough for all his efforts and kindness. We hope to come back very soon!
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James Hunter profile picture
James Hunter
23 December 2025
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I've worked in the building trade for over 20 years, the kitchen supplied by Steven was a better quality then a Howdens or magnet kitchen and also a good bit cheaper. Steven's easy to deal with, everything arrived as quoted no problems no damaged items and on the exact day specified. Would highly recommend.
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Alison Gregory profile picture
Alison Gregory
13 November 2025
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I first came across Steve on Ebay last year when I moved into my bungalow and kept hold of his details. Fast forward a year, I checked Google reviews and finally contacted him sending measurements/photos and went to meet him when on holiday nearby. Steve was so helpful and came up with the exact kitchen plan I had in my head, two other companies couldn't do this, despite visiting my home and meeting with them. Took me a while to find a joiner and after lots of emails, Whatsapp messages and calls, I could actually place the order. All delivered to North East Scotland, a few doors followed on as were out of stock, a couple of damaged items replaced and when I needed a corner post and dishwasher door replacement due to longer screws being used in error, Steve was only too happy to send them. It's a very good quality kitchen at a great price and I'm not planning on needing another, but if I did, I wouldn't hesitate on contacting SJB again. We got there in the end Steve, with hard work from my plasterer, joiner, plumber, electrician and flooring guys and I love my new kitchen, so thank you, hard to believe it's the same room ❤️

REQUEST A FREE DESIGN & QUOTE

Not sure where to start? Just drop your details below or upload a rough sketch or floor plan. I’ll give you a ring to talk through the best layout for your home — no sales pressure, just honest trade advice from someone who’s been in kitchens for 20 years.

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Made to Order & Delivered in 10 Working Days

Rigid Built Cabinets with Blum Soft Close as Standard

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info@sjball.uk

0161 509 4221