We are
Steepletone
Our Story
We are proud to have celebrated our 50th Anniversary recently, here is our history...
The Beginning 1972
Steepletone UK LTD was founded in 1972 by Tony Tyler, whose passion for electronics and sales ignited the company's journey. As a young entrepreneur, Tony began by selling radios and cassette players from the boot of his car. With dedication and hard work, Steepletone quickly gained momentum, prompting a move to Cinema House — a charming, repurposed cinema located in a quaint Oxfordshire village. This pivotal step marked the beginning of Steepletone’s expansion, laying the foundations for the trusted brand we are today.
1977
By the late 1970s, Steepletone had expanded its range of imported radios from Hong Kong, building on the success of its growing customer base. Recognizing the increasing demand for record players, Tony saw an opportunity to further diversify the Steepletone range. Partnering with BSR, a renowned British turntable manufacturer, Steepletone proudly introduced its first British-made record player range. This collaboration marked a significant milestone, blending Tony’s entrepreneurial vision with British craftsmanship to deliver quality audio products to music lovers across the UK.
1980
By the early 1980s, Steepletone’s product range had expanded significantly. In addition to record players and radios, we were now offering cassette recorders, in-car entertainment systems, and headphones. As a trusted and established British brand, our products were proudly stocked by major retailers such as Woolworths, Littlewoods, and Tesco. This period of rapid growth and success meant that we had outgrown our original home at Cinema House, prompting an exciting move to a larger premises to support our expanding operations.
1989
The late 80's & early 90's's saw Steepletone really come into its own and become more than just Radio and Record players. A new direction of products began with Electronic Toys, Karaoke Machines, "My First Turntable" and Novelty Alarm Clocks. This led to Steepletone becoming regulars at the Harrogate Toy Fair, the UK's biggest toy show. Jukeboxes also became a big part of our range in the mid 90's, with single, ten, 100 and 200 CD changer models all being introduced. This advancement into different products gave us our slogan of 'Unique Electronic Gifts', that's still with us today.
2000
As we entered the new decade, we decided it was time to refresh our branding and logo. While we retained the original text to honour our heritage, we introduced the iconic sound waves — a nod to our deep roots in sound and music. Then, in 2002, we celebrated a remarkable milestone: over 500,000 units sold worldwide of our iconic AFR1 Angle Fish Shower Radio. This achievement cemented its status as a Steepletone classic — a record that remains unbeaten to this day.
2010
By 2010, Steepletone had firmly established itself as an innovator in the audio, tech, and gift market, with over 1,000 stockists worldwide. This period marked an exciting expansion into unique electronic gifts, including jukeboxes, record players, hi-fi systems, radios, and telephones. Steepletone became known for bringing never-before-seen products to market — one standout being the Street Machine, a pull-along portable boombox that was among the first of its kind. This innovative approach not only expanded our product range but also played a key role in boosting Steepletone’s brand awareness, reinforcing our reputation for creativity and quality.
2022
In 2022, we proudly celebrated Steepletone’s 50th anniversary. Since our founding in 1972, the business has remained family-owned and operated by the Tyler family, now spanning three generations. Alongside our dedicated team, we continue to deliver high-quality products, exceptional customer service, and reliable on-time deliveries. This commitment has helped us maintain our status as one of the few British brands with a fully functioning service and repair centre at our HQ — ensuring both past and present products can be kept working for years to come. This dedication to longevity and repairability is a key part of our journey toward becoming a more sustainable brand. On 10th March 1972, Steepletone was incorporated — and little did we know that Tony’s humble beginnings selling radios from the boot of his car would grow into the thriving business we are today. On 10th March 2022, Steepletone proudly marked its 50th year — a milestone celebrating our rich history and exciting future.
2025
As of 2025, Steepletone continues to thrive as a proud British brand, with all products thoughtfully designed and developed in the UK. Our diverse product range now includes jukeboxes, radios, record players, hi-fi systems, gadgets & tech gifts, and lighting & fittings — all created with a focus on quality, style, and functionality. With the launch of our brand-new website, we now sell directly to our customers, making it easier than ever to explore and purchase our latest innovations. Our UK-based helpline and dedicated customer service team are always on hand to assist with product inquiries and provide step-by-step support, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for every customer.
Why Buy Steepletone?
We’re a proud, family-run British brand with over 50 years of experience in creating audio products that blend timeless style with modern technology. From record players and jukeboxes to hi-fi systems, radios, and tech gifts, we design and develop everything right here in the UK.
Over the past five decades, we’ve sold more than 5 million products — a reflection of the trust our customers place in us for quality, reliability, and great design. Our new website makes it easier than ever to shop directly, and our UK-based customer service team is always here to offer friendly, expert support.
When you buy from us, you’re not just getting a great product — you’re supporting a British brand that truly cares about what we create and the people we create it for.