Roberts Radio
Roberts Radio is a British consumer-electronics company known for portable, digital, internet and DAB radios, particularly its distinctive Revival range.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Roberts Radio is a British consumer-electronics company that makes radio receivers and related audio products. Founded in London in 1932 by Harry Roberts and Leslie Bidmead, the company developed from a small domestic-radio manufacturer into one of the United Kingdom's best-known specialist radio brands. Its products have included valve radios, transistor portables, DAB receivers, internet radios and solar-powered radios. The company's early history was shaped by limited resources and wartime disruption. Roberts and Bidmead reportedly financed the down payment on their first small Soho factory by selling Bidmead's motorcycle. The business later moved to Rathbone Place, and during the Second World War it relocated to East Molesey in Surrey. Wartime production shifted substantially from household radios to Morse-code equipment, after which Roberts returned to domestic radio manufacturing. Roberts built its reputation through portable radios with practical carrying handles, careful styling and a perceived emphasis on quality. The 1956 R66 portable valve radio and the 1959 RT1 transistor radio were important products in the company's transition toward compact, mobile listening. The RT1's box-like form and handle became strongly associated with Roberts, while its design was reportedly influenced by a handbag owned by Bidmead's wife, Elsie. The company received a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 and later held warrants connected with the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales. It also acquired Dynatron Radio Ltd in 1981, an event associated with an additional royal warrant. Roberts faced serious pressure during the 1980s as television became more dominant and lower-cost Japanese electronics increased competition. A major revival began after a classic red Roberts radio appeared in a Martini television advertisement in 1989. The exposure stimulated interest in the company's mid-century styling and led to limited replica runs, followed by the broader launch of the Roberts Revival 250 series in 1993. The Revival range retained the recognisable portable-radio silhouette while adding contemporary electronics and later expanding into numerous colours and finishes. It became the company's signature product family and has been described as Britain's best-selling portable radio. GlenDimplex Group acquired Roberts Radio in 1994. The business subsequently moved its headquarters and production activities north to Mexborough in South Yorkshire, where it operated alongside other GlenDimplex interests. Roberts continued adapting its traditional design language to new listening technologies, introducing its first DAB radio, the Classic 2000, in 1999 and releasing it in May 2000. Its first internet radio, the WM-201, followed in 2007, and the Stream 202 established the Stream line of internet-connected products. In 2008, Roberts introduced what it described as its first solar-powered DAB radio. Around 2020, the company moved its headquarters to Chertsey in Surrey. In the 2020s, Roberts continued to combine retro-inspired industrial design with digital broadcasting and connected audio. The Revival Petite became the UK's best-selling radio receiver in 2022, and Roberts released the second-generation Revival Petite 2 in 2024. The brand remains active under GlenDimplex ownership and is principally associated with British-designed portable radios, DAB and internet listening, and the enduring visual identity of its Revival products.
History
Roberts Radio was established in London in 1932 by Harry Roberts and Leslie Bidmead. The founders financed the deposit for a small Soho factory by selling Bidmead's motorcycle. After initially operating in Soho, the company moved across Oxford Street to 41 Rathbone Place. Its early business focused on domestic radio receivers, but the Second World War forced a move to East Molesey in Surrey and a significant change in production. During the Blitz period, Roberts made Morse-code tappers and other wartime equipment rather than concentrating primarily on household radios. Following the war, Roberts resumed domestic-radio production and gradually developed a reputation for dependable products and distinctive portable designs. The company launched the R66 portable valve radio in 1956 and its first portable transistor radio, the RT1, in 1959. The RT1 helped define a visual language that would remain important to the brand: a compact, box-shaped body, a carrying handle and a deliberately domestic, almost furniture-like appearance. The design was associated with Leslie Bidmead and was reportedly inspired by a handbag belonging to his wife, Elsie. Roberts expanded its manufacturing base with a purpose-built factory in West Molesey in 1962. Harry Roberts died in 1969 and was succeeded by his son Richard Roberts, who remained involved with the company until his death in 1991. The company also developed a notable relationship with the British royal household. It received a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth II in 1955, later obtained warrants connected with the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales during the 1980s, and acquired Dynatron Radio Ltd in 1981 in connection with another warrant. The arrival of television as a dominant household medium and the growth of imported Japanese electronics created difficult conditions for Roberts during the 1980s. A turning point came in 1989, when a classic red Roberts-style radio appeared in a Martini television advertisement. The advertisement renewed public interest in the brand's vintage appearance. Roberts responded with two limited runs of a replica 1950s radio; both sold out. The company then developed the Revival 250 series, launched in 1993 as a full reissue of the original design in red. Additional colours and finishes followed, with the range reaching sixteen variants by 2000. Revival became Roberts' defining product family and has been identified as Britain's best-selling portable radio. GlenDimplex Group bought Roberts Radio in 1994. Under the new ownership, the company moved its headquarters and production north to Mexborough in South Yorkshire, joining other GlenDimplex ventures. Roberts retained its heritage styling while moving into new broadcast formats. It introduced the Classic 2000, its first DAB digital radio, in 1999, with release in May 2000. The WM-201, introduced in 2007, was the company's first internet radio. Its successor, the Stream 202, developed into the Stream family of internet-connected audio products. In 2008, Roberts introduced a solar-powered DAB radio, extending the brand's portable-radio proposition into lower-power and outdoor-oriented use. The company moved its headquarters to Chertsey in Surrey around 2020. In the 2020s, Roberts continued to develop compact digital radios and updated versions of its retro-styled products. The Revival Petite became the UK's best-selling radio receiver in 2022, and the second-generation Revival Petite 2 was released in 2024. Roberts remains an active British consumer-electronics brand under GlenDimplex ownership, with its identity centred on portable radio, DAB and internet listening, and the combination of heritage styling with current audio technology.
- 2024
Revival Petite 2 released
[1]Roberts launched the second generation of its compact Revival Petite radio.
- 2022
Revival Petite reaches leading UK sales position
[1]The Revival Petite became the UK's best-selling radio receiver.
- 2020
Headquarters moved to Chertsey
[1]The company moved its headquarters to Chertsey in Surrey around this period.
- 2008
Solar-powered DAB radio launched
[1]Roberts introduced its first solar-powered DAB radio.
- 2007
First internet radio launched
[1]The WM-201 marked Roberts' entry into internet-connected radio products.
- 1999
First DAB radio introduced
[1]Roberts introduced the Classic 2000 as its first DAB digital radio; the model was released in May 2000.
- 1994
Acquired by GlenDimplex Group
[1]GlenDimplex Group purchased Roberts Radio and subsequently relocated the business to South Yorkshire.
- 1993
Revival 250 series launched
[1]Roberts introduced a full reissue of its classic portable-radio design, initially in the original red colour.
- 1989
Martini advertisement revives interest
[1]A classic red Roberts radio appeared in a Martini television advertisement, helping renew public attention to the brand.
- 1981
Dynatron Radio acquired
[1]Roberts purchased Dynatron Radio Ltd, an acquisition associated with an additional royal warrant.
Products and positioning
A British heritage audio brand combining retro-inspired portable-radio design with contemporary DAB, internet-radio and other digital listening technologies.
Portable valve radio · 1956
R66
Launched in 1956, the R66 was an important post-war portable valve radio from Roberts. It represented the company's continuing focus on domestic listening products before the broad adoption of transistor technology.
Portable transistor radio · 1959
RT1
Introduced in 1959, the RT1 was Roberts' first portable transistor radio. Its compact box-shaped body and carrying handle helped establish the visual format that later became central to the brand's heritage identity.
Portable heritage radio · 1993
Revival 250 series
The Revival 250 series was a full reissue of Roberts' classic 1950s-style portable radio. Initially offered in the traditional red finish, it later expanded into multiple colours and designs and became the company's signature product family.
DAB digital radio · 1999
Classic 2000
The Classic 2000 was Roberts' first DAB digital radio. Introduced in 1999 and released in May 2000, it brought the company's established portable-radio styling into the emerging digital-broadcasting market.
Internet radio · 2007
WM-201
Released in 2007, the WM-201 was Roberts' first internet radio. It marked a move beyond terrestrial broadcast reception toward network-connected listening.
Internet radio
Stream 202
The Stream 202 followed the WM-201 and helped establish Roberts' Stream series of internet-radio products. It extended the brand's portable and home-audio proposition into connected listening.
Solar-powered digital radio · 2008
Solar-powered DAB radio
Introduced in 2008, Roberts' solar-powered DAB radio combined digital broadcasting with a renewable charging feature, reinforcing the portability and outdoor utility associated with the brand.
Compact portable radio
Revival Petite
The Revival Petite is a compact member of Roberts' heritage-styled Revival family. Its commercial performance made it the UK's best-selling radio receiver in 2022, according to the cited reference material.
Second-generation compact portable radio · 2024
Revival Petite 2
Released in 2024, the Revival Petite 2 is the second generation of Roberts' compact Revival Petite format, continuing the company's combination of retro-inspired styling and modern radio functionality.
Marketing campaigns
- 1989Martini television advertisement appearance
United Kingdom
A classic red Roberts radio appeared in a Martini television advertisement. The exposure renewed public interest in Roberts' mid-century styling and helped trigger the revival of its classic portable-radio design.
Outcome. Interest led to two limited replica runs and later to the broader Revival 250 reissue.
Brand decisions
2007
Move into internet radioProduct launchBackground
Network-connected audio was creating an alternative to conventional terrestrial radio reception.
Action taken
Roberts launched the WM-201, followed by the Stream 202 and the wider Stream series.
Aftermath
The company added internet-connected listening to its established analogue and DAB product portfolio.
1999
Enter DAB digital radioProduct launchBackground
Digital audio broadcasting was becoming an important new radio format.
Action taken
Roberts introduced the Classic 2000, its first DAB digital radio, with release in May 2000.
Aftermath
The launch extended Roberts' heritage portable-radio proposition into digital broadcasting.
1994
Join the GlenDimplex GroupM&ABackground
Roberts had faced pressure during the 1980s from television and imported Japanese electronics.
Action taken
GlenDimplex Group acquired the privately owned Roberts Radio business.
Aftermath
Roberts relocated its headquarters and production activities to Mexborough in South Yorkshire and operated alongside other GlenDimplex ventures.
1993
Turn the classic portable radio into the Revival rangeProduct launchBackground
After a classic red radio appeared in a Martini advertisement and two replica runs sold out, Roberts had evidence of renewed consumer interest in its historic design.
Action taken
The company released the Revival 250 as a full reissue of the 1950s-style radio and expanded the line with additional colours and designs.
Aftermath
The Revival became Roberts' defining product family and has been described as Britain's best-selling portable radio.
Sources1 sources
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