Welcome to a new month – we’re officially into May, summer is just around the corner and we’ve got an exciting new brand of the month. We’re pleased to announce that our brand of the month for May 2023 is Roberts!
What Makes a Roberts?
Since 1932, Roberts has set out to make audio products that give you more than just a listening experience. They know that when a product looks, feels and sounds sensational, everyday listening can change your day, set the mood and style your home. Every Roberts product is designed to be seen, touched and heard. From the iconic fifties-style Revival retro range, to cutting edge wireless speakers – they keep pushing their products to look as good as they sound.
Roberts’ Audio Origins
Founded over 90 years ago by good friends Harry Roberts and Leslie Bidmead, Roberts Radio began handcrafting portable radios – initially producing just three radios a week. Today, they’re the UK market leader in portable radios, still delivering on the original Roberts philosophy: never compromise on quality and keep pushing the boundaries.
A Roberts is designed to last. It’s a concept that leads to conscious choices about how they create their products – from high quality materials, and a continual focus on ways to reduce their environmental impact. The Planet Mark certification, showing their endeavours to reduce carbon emissions, is a step in the right direction on what is a committed and longer journey.
Recognised for excellence, quality, service and innovation – Roberts are very proud to have been granted two Royal Warrants as manufacturers and suppliers of radio receivers to Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales, since 1955 and 1985 respectively. So from your place, to the Palace, Roberts proudly has its place in British homes.
Roberts are also extremely proud to design and manufacture radios for the British Wireless for the Blind Fund. For over 90 years, the fund has been dedicated to raising awareness of the isolation experienced within the blind community, and uses radio to break down barriers with the outside world. To learn more, or find out if you, or someone you know, could benefit from one of the specially designed sets, visit blind.org.uk
Roberts Today
2007 saw the rise of Smart Radio: an innovative radio that allowed access to thousands of stations from around the world; it also streamed music files from your PC. Off the back of this, Roberts released their first Smart Radio, the WM201. Throughout the years since then, Roberts has collaborated with other brands to create a number of ‘Limited Editions’. These include a series of Cath Kidston florals, a Union Jack Flag design for the London 2012 Olympics, and a Royal Gloss Burgundy Revival to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.
The iStream2 launched in 2014, and introduced Spotify Connect to their range of Smart Radios. Also launched in this year was the Stream 93i – a radio packed full of features, with great sound quality, the Stream 93i set a new bar for Smart Radio everywhere. In 2016, wireless streaming took off and Roberts started a new chapter in their journey: in today’s connected world, streaming is how many of us enjoy our music, and R-Line is a premium audio speaker system with wireless multi-room capability that allows Roberts’ customers to do exactly that.
2017 sees Roberts celebrate their 85th birthday and they’ve taken their decades of expertise in sound and technology to introduce a new turntable, an exciting addition to a growing audio range. This year also sees the introduction of their brand new Revival RD70 and Revival Uno, growing the iconic Revival family that they’re so well known for.
Roberts at HBH Woolacotts
Since the late 80s, HBH Woolacotts have carried a range of Roberts radios – including portable radios, boomboxes and clock radios. Check out these old Roberts models – the RSC80 and SRC955 – last sold by us in 1989 and 1999, respectively.
These days, the aesthetic of Roberts has stayed much the same – and we say that as the highest compliment! Roberts’ timeless design combined with their ‘built-to-last’ quality makes them one of our customers’ favourite brands and it’s not hard to see why.
From bedroom alarm clocks to music in the garden, Roberts has something for everyone and it’s guaranteed to look stunning; this is why they are our Brand of the Month for May 2023.
You can shop Roberts in any of our stores and on our website.
