Specialists in New, Second Hand Leica & Classic equipment

Over 50 years in business

Lifetime of knowledge

    Roberts Analogue & DAB Radios - Film -  Digital photo restoration - Video & slides transfers to CD & DVD - Film camera servicing

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DUE IN SHORTLY !!!!

Lifelong Leica Enthusiast disposing of his entire

collection of VERY RARE & COLLECTABLE items

Most items items MINT & BOXED

For example :

Leica STEMAR stereo system (in original boxes)

Rapid winder for Leica IIIG or IIIF (boxed)

Leica 90mm F4.0 Elmar Screw Mount 3 element (boxed)

Abrahamsson rapid winder for M6 (Titanium finish)

Plus lots more !!!

Contact us urgently to reserve your items !!!

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PRE-OWNED WATCHES

Audemars Piguet 18 carat gold dress watch

in white Audemars box

Mechanical wind - diamond indexes

Integrated 18 carat gold bracelet

Absolutely stunning piece

£3500.00 (commission sale)

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The NEW Leica M9-P

The Leica M9

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Roberts Radio Stockist

Analogue Radios from  £17.00       DAB Radios from  £40.00

Cassette Radio  £40.00

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ABOUT US

Our Family Business - 52 years and still trading

Reg Roach, proprietor of High Street Radio and Photographic, 294 High Street, Croydon, began his retail career in 1959. Now in his 50th year of trading (and still going) Reg has survived the encumbrances of recessions, rent increases and, more recently, the onslaught of internet trading. Thanks in no small part to the support of his many loyal customers.

With his wife Pat, Reg took over High Street Radio from his employer at their original premises two doors away at number 290. Securing dealerships for Roberts, Sony, Philips, Grundig, etc they began building their business. Paul, their eldest son, was born in the early sixties and, when old enough, became a valuable addition to the business.

In the late sixties the now prestigious Bang and Olufsen company were looking for outlets in the UK. Always up for a challenge, Reg applied and became one of the country’s first B&O dealers.

The early seventies heralded a royal wedding and stimulated a consumer rush to buy colour TV’s to watch it. The modern electrical age was born, unfortunately sets were less reliable than today’s equipment and frequently required attention. Reg and Pat saw another business opportunity and opened an additional shop at 294 calling it High Street TV Services Ltd. This was dedicated service centre, employing John Goldsmith as chief technician together with 4 engineers.

The late seventies recession and much higher rents took its toll and High Street Radio at 290 was closed and amalgamated within 294 under the same banner – High Street Radio.

In the early eighties Reg incorporated photography into the business and became a Leica Specialist Dealer. High Street Radio and Photographic was born. Over the years Reg’s detailed and expert knowledge has become legendary, earning him well deserved respect in this field.

The B&O side expanded rapidly and in the mid eighties an opportunity to open a dedicated “Bang & Olufsen Centre” when the shop next door (292) became vacant. Paul, Pat and new employee Ian Eddolls along with service engineer John Goldsmith moved into these premises with Reg popping in and out to oversee things. Times were good.

Another recession in the early nineties and policy changes at Bang and Olufsen meant Reg and Paul had to relinquish the B&O concession and concentrate their energies on trading mainly in photographic equipment at 294 only. At this juncture Ian Eddolls who had been offered a job at the premier Bang & Olufsen shop in London took it. John was made redundant and Pat decided to retire from the spotlight of the shop. Reg & Paul continued, now specialising in new Leica equipment and new and second hand high quality photographic equipment of all makes. The only radio dealership they retained was Roberts Radios.     

Business was getting tougher with the photographic industry selling digital cameras to EVERY outlet from the largest superstore to the internet, where all customers wanted was the cheapest deal. The industry had changed, Reg and Paul were finding it much more difficult to compete on prices of new equipment and decided to concentrate their efforts on the second hand and the collectors market where people appreciated the specialist knowledge that Reg and Paul had acquired over the years.

Christmas 2001 found Reg (now 70 years young) diagnosed with bowel cancer and heart problems. He was admitted to hospital for several weeks. These were dark days for the family, Pat by his side throughout and Paul keeping the business running as well as visiting everyday. John Goldsmith returned to the shop to help Paul out (and can still be found there today). The flowers and get well messages flooded in from friends and customers alike and thankfully after several traumatic months Reg made a full recovery and returned to the business.

Today Reg at the age of 80 years young and five decades behind him can still be found in his now familiar place behind the counter of this family business. Paul at his side, although he can more often be found on the computer attending to the internet side of the business as they continue to bring that personal touch to buying a camera or radio.

How many other family businesses have adapted to the modern world and are still trading after 52 years?