Hi from Northamptonshire

[captainoats]

Thank you all for your Clints and feedback. All very much appreciated. 
I had an independent showroom visit this evening and was very impressed with him. I was up front with our budget and what I would expect in the design and style. 
Crown Kitchen representative is coming out soon and I am looking forward to that. 
Wren have followed up with a "Black Friday" offer but the more I read about them the more I am put off so I'm going to cancel that follow up discussion. I don't like their sales techniques of trying to get you to sign on the dotted line there and then. I feel a kitchen needs to be carefully thought through as once it is in it's in - not like buying a car and then selling it after a year! At least the independent agreed that you shouldn't rush a design or purchase of a kitchen as it needs to suit budget and requirements so felt more comfortable with him. 
I'm not entertaining Howdens now as more I think of them the more I don't want to purchase from them - got a gut feeling!! lol, nothing against the company.
Premier Kitchens are a non starter as their sales tactics are again too pushy, not as bad as Wren, and prices fluctuate too much that I don't trust the brand now.
So that really leaves the local independent, Crown, Wickes (which I don't feel I want to go for either) or Benchmarx.
I haven't heard anything negative about Benchmarx and I do have a decent fitter contact so will see how it goes. I am looking at practicality and an ease of use kitchen and not fussed with it have "bling" over functionality which is what I have found with some expensive kitchens. I appreciate that the independents may not be as cheap as Benchmarx (and quality may also differ) but it depends what they can provide within budget. Wish I had free money trees but need to be sensible. 
Will see how it goes and feed back in here and I do hope the independents come up with a fresh idea within the budget I have discussed - I do want to support local independent businesses.