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Rumbelows

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I wonder if anyone remembers Rumbelows the TV and Radio chain? It was once bigger than Currys and Dixons! And used to sell and rent out TV's and Radios (I know - imagine renting a radio!

Every high street had one. Firstly, however, it wasnt Rumbelows, it was Fred Dawes.

We sold a TV brand called Baird and the main names I remember were Ferguson, Ultra, HMV, Indesit, and Hotpoint.

Originally, Fred Dawes established the company as a chain of television and radio rental shops in the 1950s, naming it Fred Dawes but in 1969, the business was bought by Radio Rentals. All 90 of the Fred Dawes high street stores became electrical retailers instead, and were renamed Rumbelows.

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Do You Remember Rumbelows?

Do You Remember Rumbelows?

  • Anonymous user
    on
    Yes, fondly remember them well. Worked for around 18 years, managing various branches, started at Walthamstow2, then new East Ham, on to Romford and finally the new Southend branch. Good times.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I remember very well as I used to work at the Bournemouth Dorset branch in 1976. I had trained as an electronics engineer some years before. I enjoyed my time there and had the use of a Mk. 1 'V-4 engine petrol Transit Custom van - nice! Still remember the reg: LME 682K - good memories!
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I used to work in the Stamford branch along with John Stapleton and Dawn and the lady whose name I can't remember used to work on the till ( She came from Waltham Abbey ) that was in July 1979 till April 1980. Any one remember ?
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Yes I remember Rumbelows I used to be one of their engineers at Harlow Essex ,then moved on to be service manager at Benfleet Essex,i was one of the engineers that had the yellow escort car with gas Hybrid powered ,which I bought when was made redundant
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Worked for them for 17years, in and around London ending up in Oxford. Great company especially when Tom Rushton was MD. Joined from Sidney Rumbelow himself at Welwyn Garden City Who remembers "RentaSet from Rumbelows"?
  • Anonymous user
    on
    Remember it very well, I still have a pair of stereo headphones I bought from the Swansea branch back in '84. Not only do I have their original box, but the old Rumbelows carrier back they were put in too! It has on it 'The Rumbelows' cartoon characters who used to do the TV ads- little people with huge noses and tiny legs. 'We save you money- and serve you Right!'

Do you remember these?