Looking for a Howdens Alternative in Middleton?

If you’re planning a new kitchen in Middleton, you might be thinking of heading to the Howdens depots in Oldham or Rochdale. But what you’ll find is a trade-only counter, meaning you can’t buy directly and will end up paying a builder’s markup on top of already inflated prices. In a close-knit community like Middleton, trust and a personal touch matter. I offer a better way: a genuine, direct-from-the-manufacturer price without sacrificing quality or service. If you’ve been searching for the best alternative to Howdens kitchens, you’re in the right place.

I’m Steve, the owner of SJB Trade Kitchens. With over 20 years in the industry, I got tired of the smoke-and-mirrors pricing and flat-pack quality offered by the big depots. I knew homeowners in places like Middleton, Alkrington, and Langley deserved better. That’s why I started my own business, offering high-quality, rigid-built kitchens directly to you, with a level of personal service the big sheds can’t match.

You get a direct, honest relationship with the owner. In a community like Middleton, trust is earned. When you deal with the big depots, you’re just another order number. With me, you’re a valued customer. I personally oversee every project, from the initial design to the final delivery, ensuring you get exactly what you want without any sales pressure or nonsense.

You get a significantly better quality product for your money. Howdens kitchens are built down to a price, using flat-pack carcasses and thin hardboard backs that are notorious for bowing. I build my kitchens to a standard, using 18mm rigid carcasses with solid 18mm back panels. It’s a fundamentally superior product that will last longer and look better, especially in the hardworking family homes found across Langley and Boarshaw.

You get transparent pricing without the confusing trade discounts. The Howdens pricing model is designed to be opaque, with huge ‘discounts’ that still hide a hefty profit margin for them and your builder. My pricing is simple and honest. Because I don’t have a network of expensive depots to run, I can sell a higher-spec kitchen for 30-50% less than a comparable one from Howdens. It’s just straightforward, honest value.

You get a kitchen that’s made to measure for your home. Many of the 1930s semis in Alkrington have chimney breasts and alcoves that standard-sized cabinets just can’t accommodate properly. I build your kitchen to order, meaning we can create custom sizes to fit your space perfectly, giving you a truly bespoke look without the bespoke price tag.

The foundation of a long-lasting kitchen is the cabinet construction. While depots like Howdens rely on mass-produced, flat-pack carcasses with flimsy hardboard backs, I build my kitchens properly from the start. Every single one of my kitchen cabinets is a rigid-built unit, constructed from 18mm Egger or Kronospan board all around – including a solid 18mm back panel. This makes them incredibly strong, durable, and resistant to the bowing and sagging you often see in older depot kitchens.

This rigid construction is especially important in Middleton’s varied housing stock. For the 1930s semis in Alkrington or the older terraces, where walls may not be perfectly straight, a solid, square cabinet makes your fitter’s job much easier and ensures a far superior final result. It means your doors will hang perfectly and your worktops will have a solid, level base for years to come.

I also use premium components as standard, not as expensive upgrades. Every kitchen I supply comes with high-quality Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners. These are the best in the business, and they ensure your kitchen feels as good as it looks, day in and day out. It’s a level of quality you can feel, and it’s what sets a true craftsman-built kitchen apart from a standard trade offering.

Many Middleton homes, especially the lovely 1930s semis in Alkrington or the characterful terraces in the town centre, have their own unique quirks. Standard-sized kitchens from a depot catalogue often just don’t fit properly, leading to awkward gaps and wasted space. Because I manufacture my kitchens to order, I can create cabinets in any height, width, or depth you need. This means we can design a kitchen that perfectly fits your room, maximising storage and creating a seamless, high-end finish.

With over 300 different carcass colours and a wide range of door styles and finishes – from modern handleless to classic Shaker – we have a palette to suit any Middleton home. During our free design service, we’ll explore all the options to create a look that’s perfect for you and your property. We can create a kitchen that feels like it was always meant to be there.

When you’re investing in a new kitchen, you want to know who you’re dealing with. In a town like Middleton, where reputation is everything, you deserve a personal, reliable service. When you deal with SJB, you deal directly with me, Steve. I’m the one who’ll answer your questions, design your kitchen, and ensure everything is perfect. There are no call centres or middlemen – just honest advice from someone who lives and breathes kitchens.

My showroom is located at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB, which is just a straightforward 15-minute drive from the centre of Middleton. You’re welcome to visit any time to see our products, feel the quality of our rigid-built cabinets, and have a no-obligation chat about your project. I’m here to help you get the best possible kitchen for your budget.

I regularly work with homeowners across the Middleton area, from Alkrington and Langley to Boarshaw and Rhodes. I pride myself on being the local, trusted alternative to the impersonal national depots, offering a service that’s as solid as my kitchens.

Can homeowners buy from Howdens directly in Middleton?

No, Howdens operates on a trade-only basis, meaning you can’t buy from their Oldham or Rochdale depots directly. You have to go through a builder who will add their own markup. At SJB, I sell directly to homeowners, giving you a better kitchen for a better price.

How do your prices compare to Howdens?

My kitchens are typically 30-50% cheaper than a like-for-like Howdens kitchen. I don’t have the huge overheads of a national depot network, so I can pass those savings directly on to my Middleton customers, giving you honest, transparent pricing.

Can I visit a showroom near Middleton?

Absolutely. My showroom is in Oldham, just a short 15-minute drive from Middleton. You can pop in any time to see the quality of my rigid-built cabinets for yourself and we can have a chat about your project with no pressure or sales patter.

Do you deliver to Middleton?

Yes, I deliver my fully assembled, rigid-built kitchens across Middleton and the surrounding areas, including Alkrington, Langley, and Chadderton. Your new kitchen will arrive ready to install, saving your fitter time and saving you money.

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.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 47 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Ameer Latif 
 
30 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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 
 
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 
 
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 
 
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 
 
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 
 
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 
 
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.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Alison Gregory 
 
13 November 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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 ❤️