In this day of HP and flat screen TV’s renting seems like a strange option, or is it?
At the time of Radio Rentals and the other TV rental companies (another story for another day) TV’s and other home appliances could be quite costly.
Summary
Radio Rentals was founded in 1930 by Percy Perring-Thoms in Boyces Street, Brighton, Sussex, UK.
The business was set up to rent out radio sets, with a turnover in the first year of £780 (equivalent to £52,463 in 2021).
With the growth of television demand for TV sets grew but at the time they were expensive Radio Rentals and other such companies were able to rent sets out at an affordable monthly rent
It later offered televisions and video recorders for rent.
In 1964 it merged with RentaSet, Joseph Robinson’s similar company. Then, in 1968, it was acquired by Thorn Electrical Industries and joined with Thorn’s DER chain (founded 1938) as part of Thorn Television Rentals (TTR), though the two companies were run completely separately, with different staff and vehicles.
Going from strength to strength Radio Rentals claimed that at its peak it had over two million customers, supplied by over 500 shops, 3,600 technicians, 2,700 skilled installers and a large ancillary staff. Having sales and service locations across the UK, the Radio Rentals shops were a common sight on many of Britain’s High Streets.
At it’s peak Radio Rentals offered TV’s, video recorders, satellite TV equipment and some white goods (i.e. washing machines).
Where Did They Go?
In 2000 Radio Rentals merged with Granada (also part of Thorn Electrical) to form a new company thus meaning the end of the road for the Radio Rentals brand.
Now branded Boxclever the company began operating on the high street under the Boxclever name. However despite the merger the new company struggled. With consumer goods becoming less expensive demand for rentals began to drop.
The company went through a series of takeovers and by 2003 the administrators were called in. By the end of March 2004 all it’s high street stores were closed.
The company was bought out of administration in January 2005 by Fortress Investment Group for a reported £135 million. Fortress and Cerberus sold the business to Weight Partners in May 2011.
Today Boxclever (formerly Radio Rentals and Granada) exists as an online business. https://www.boxclever.co.uk/
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