info@herbert-todds.co.uk

Herbert Todd in Percy's Lane, Navigation Road, York and 16 York Road, Acomb is long-established stockist for both Grundig and Panasonic.

The firm also stocks Ferguson, Samsung and Tatung, among others. The firm which celebrated its diamond anniversary as a trading presence in York in 1996, is experiencing a surge in demand, something about which Graham Todd, son of founder Herbert, could not be more pleased. Speaking of the wide range of the firm's stock, he says "It seems sensible to have a good spread of manufacturers". He has been with the family firm for 26 years, roughly the same amount of time that the Percy's Lane showroom has been open.

"I think that we are best-known in York for our televisions, although of course we do have hi-fis, camcorders, personal stereos and so on". Herbert Todd is one of the two leading independent distributors of rented electrical equipment in the city, and Graham Todd estimates that at any one time up to 15,000 products purchased from the firm are out and about being viewed and listened to. He emphasises the fact that more and more people are coming back to renting.

"In the eighties, when people were becoming more affluent, buying of items like televisions became the norm. But once people discovered that every time something broke down they were having to pay a fortune, they realised the value that could be had by renting".

"We're picking up customers who are dissatisfied with the way that the big chains have put up their prices. We haven't had a major price rise in the last five years, I would say," says Mr Todd.

" We also stock leading makes of hoovers and washing machines. We simply have to be very competitive in today's market place."

Herbert Todd has six engineers available to service domestic customers, plus another eight who carry out maintenance on machinery in offices and shops.