Radio Rentals was founded in 1930[1][2] by Percy Perring-Thoms in Brighton, Sussex, UK, to rent out radio receiving sets. It later offered televisions and videorecorders for rent. Radio Rentals was the largest television rental group in the UK and claimed that at its peak it had more than two million customers, more than 500 shops, 3,600 technicians, 2,700 skilled installers and a large ancillary staff. It had sales and service locations across the UK; the Radio Rentals logo being a common sight on many High Streets. The business still trades in Australia.
History
Radio Rentals started life in Boyces Street, Brighton, Sussex, England. As well as renting radio receiving sets, it also guaranteed their service and maintenance. It was the first such business in the United Kingdom. Turnover in the first year was £780.
A limited company, Radio Rentals Limited, was incorporated on 19 August 1933 and by 1936 had shown rapid growth, becoming the largest such organisation in Great Britain, adding 12,000 subscribers in 1935-36 and covering almost the whole of the home counties, the Midlands and the South of England. At the time, the company's headquarters were at 92 Regent Street in London and had branch offices and showrooms in Birmingham, Brighton, Canterbury, Croydon, Southampton and Southend-on-Sea.