For many homeowners in Newcastle, Wickes is a familiar, go-to name for home improvement projects. Their presence on high streets and retail parks makes them a convenient first stop. However, when it comes to a significant investment like a new kitchen—one that needs to withstand years of daily use—it pays to look beyond the obvious. For those living in the city’s beautiful Victorian and Edwardian properties in areas like Gosforth and Jesmond, or the sturdy 1930s semis in Fenham, the limitations of a standard retail kitchen can quickly become apparent. The underlying quality and construction are what determine a kitchen’s lifespan, and this is where the differences begin to show.

The main drawback of many high-street kitchens lies in the materials. Wickes kitchens, for example, are typically built using 15mm carcasses. While adequate, this is noticeably thinner and less robust than the superior 18mm standard. More importantly, the back panels are often just 3-6mm of hardboard, which can be prone to warping, bowing, and damage over time, offering little structural support. For the diverse housing stock across Newcastle, from city centre apartments to suburban family homes, this level of construction simply doesn’t provide the long-term durability that homeowners expect. A kitchen should be a lasting part of the home, not a temporary fixture.

This is why a growing number of discerning Newcastle residents are discovering SJB Trade Kitchens as a superior alternative. We provide kitchens built to a significantly higher specification. Every unit is constructed from 18mm Egger or Kronospan board, complete with a solid 18mm back panel. This creates a truly rigid, robust, and long-lasting cabinet that arrives pre-assembled and ready to fit. This method of construction is a substantial upgrade, ensuring your kitchen remains solid and square for decades to come, representing a genuine investment in your property’s value and functionality.

Beyond the core construction, the quality is evident in the details. SJB fits premium Blum Antaro soft-close drawer boxes as standard—a hallmark of high-end kitchens known for their smooth operation and reliability. This contrasts with the own-brand hardware systems often found in retail kitchens, which may not offer the same level of performance or longevity. It’s a detail that homeowners in prestigious areas like Darras Hall or Ponteland appreciate, as it speaks to a commitment to quality throughout. With SJB, you are not compromising on the components that matter most in daily use.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing SJB is the pricing model. Big-box retailers like Wickes operate on a retail pricing structure, often using promotional sales to create a sense of urgency. SJB, however, offers transparent trade prices to everyone, all year round. These prices are typically 30-50% cheaper than a trade account at Howdens, representing incredible value for a higher-specification product. This is all delivered with the personal touch of owner Steve, who brings over 20 years of industry experience to every project, ensuring you get expert advice and direct service from start to finish.

Finally, SJB excels in flexibility and speed. While a typical kitchen from Wickes can have a lead time of 6-8 weeks, SJB delivers nationwide, including to all Newcastle postcodes, in as little as 10 working days. Furthermore, every kitchen is made to order, which means we offer fully bespoke sizing. If you have awkward spaces, high ceilings in an older Tyneside flat, or specific requirements for your layout, we can build units to any height, width, or depth you need. This is a level of customisation that standard-sized retail kitchens simply cannot match, ensuring a perfect fit for your unique Newcastle home.

When investing in a new kitchen for your Newcastle home, the difference in quality between SJB and Wickes is clear. We use thicker, more durable 18mm Egger/Kronospan carcasses for all our units, a significant step up from the 15mm standard often used by Wickes. More importantly, our units are built with full 18mm solid back panels, providing superior strength and rigidity compared to the flimsy 3-6mm hardboard backs common in retail kitchens. This robust construction ensures your kitchen will stand the test of time, resisting the wear and tear of daily family life.

The commitment to quality extends to the hardware. Every SJB kitchen comes with premium Blum Antaro drawer boxes and soft-close hinges as standard. This is a brand trusted by top kitchen manufacturers for its reliability and smooth performance. In contrast, Wickes typically uses its own-brand systems, which may not offer the same guarantee of quality. By choosing SJB, you are investing in components that are built to last, ensuring a frustration-free experience for years to come.

Beyond the superior product, SJB offers a smarter way to buy. We provide transparent trade pricing to all our customers in Newcastle, which is often 30-50% cheaper than trade-only suppliers like Howdens. This means you get a higher quality, bespoke kitchen for a better price than you’d find at a retail park. Combined with a rapid delivery time of just 10 working days, compared to the 6-8 week wait common with Wickes, the choice is simple. SJB delivers a better quality, better value, and faster kitchen solution for your home.

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.

“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

Frequently Asked Questions

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Already have a Wickes quote? Upload it using the form below and Steve will come back with a like-for-like price comparison — usually within 24 hours. Call 0161 509 4221 or 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 Wickes, Howdens, Wren Kitchens, Magnet, or DIY Kitchens.