Leicester Rediffusion Service Limited

It has been my wish to arrange a reunion of the Leicester Branch employees and Mike Chilton and I are working hard to make it possible.

The Date is: Tuesday 11 May 2010. from 6.00pm. Venue: Bulls Head, Leicester Forest West, (tbc)

It will be an informal affair, turn up if you feel you want to be involved. However a confirmation will be even better so we can draw up a firm list.
It will be great to see you.

If you are in contact with any of your old friends
or can help put us in touch with others, please
help to pass on the 'word'.

Countdown to the Reunion

For more than 25 years the name Rediffusion dominated the Radio and Television market in the city of Leicester with it's cable system delivering interference-free viewing to over 20,000 homes in the city.

Rediffusion came to Leicester in 1961 operating out of a small premises in Clinton Street. The wiring of the City's Council Estates for the 'Piped' service began and the subsctiption take - up was rapid. In 1964 the business relocated to much larger premises in Dysart Street. ( later renamed Malabar Road ) and the strong growth in Television rental subscription was maintained through the 1970's supported by the introduction of the colour television.
All new City housing developments were were wired with the Rediffusion HF system or alternatively a VHF MATV Coaxial System.

The end of an era began in 1984 when BET, the group parent company sold the Rediffusion television rental business to Granada.
The wired vision operation continued to be maintained under the 'guise' of Rediffusion Cablevision and remained in service until the mid 1990's, this after being acquired by Maxwell Communications in 1987. Efforts to further develop the system over this period proved unsuccessful in the face of growing competition from cable and satellite providers and the system eventually became redundant.
Some of the old cable and kiosks can still be seen around the city to this day.

Rediffusion offered a similar service in many UK towns and overseas locations bringing high quality
service and entertainment to millions worldwide. The name Rediffusion will doubtless live on in peoples memories for many years to come.

In 1968 and Leicester Rediffusion reached a milestone of 10,000 Subscribers. Pictured are staff celebrating at the party.

10K Subscriber Staff Party 1

10K Subscriber Staff Party 2

10K Subscriber Staff Party 3

10K Subscriber Staff Party 4

10k Subscriber Staff Party 5

10k Subscriber Staff Party 6

10k Subscriber Staff Party 7

10k Subscriber Staff Party 8

Click on any Thumbnail for a full screen image

Kiosk Planning Application 1962

Eastgates Store

Remembering Leicester Rediffusion by: Gerald Clode Leicester Branch 1968 - 1976

Gerald Clode's Job Offer
Just found this after 41 Years !
John Brigstock's Memoirs
John's years at Leicester
The History of Poulton Manor
Remembering the Training School
Pioneers of Relay: F H Austen MBE
How it all started.
Terry Wells
An overview of Leicester Rediffusion
Mike Densham's Momentos.
See what Mike found in the Attic.
More Pictures
See Many More Pictures of Leicester Branch
The Fancy Dress Party
Fancy Dress Party,Who Do You Recognise ?
Leicester Rediffusion Employees
A List of ex - Leicester Employees.