About us
The 1920s to 1940's the early days
Hughes Electrical was founded in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in 1921 by Frank Hughes, a young electrical engineer. Originally the company rewound industrial electrical motors for the fishing industry, as well as merchant and marine services. In 1928, Frank bought his first shop and the family literally lived over it for some years. Although still continuing the rewinding service, the company branched out into the production and sale of radios and the recharging of accumulators. By the mid-30s Hughes held main agencies for Philips, Bush, KB, RGD, Ekco, Cossor, Ultra and others. Frank retired in 1946 and his sons Peter and Jim took over the management of the business supported by their sister Phyllis. The company was, and remains to this day, a true family business.
The 1950s Television arrives 
Always an entrepreneurial company, Hughes was determined to get into the Television Age at the ground floor. When TV first came, East Anglia was several years behind London. Peter Hughes remembers that their first television set was a converted pre-war model with a 5-inch green ex-military radar tube. The conversion to a 9-inch black and white display was done by a Pye engineer in Cambridge. The first picture received took the form of a few white specks. These turned out to be car ignition interference! Back in Cambridge where the signal strength was much stronger the set worked well. Around 1953, before the local Tacolneston transmitter opened, Hughes had installed many televisions in Suffolk. Experience was gained by the design of the Hughes Patented Antenna, which had a dual element configuration, to receive either Holme Moss in Yorkshire or Crystal Palace, London.
The 1960s and 1970s Expansion
The Company began its expansion in earnest in 1962 with the purchase of Norfolk Radio, based in Great Yarmouth. The Hughes company then had 5 shops all trading within 10 miles of Lowestoft and all selling or renting televisions, audio products and home appliances. "You would still recognise these old shops today. Granted they are now more lavish and the products more reliable but the prices remain the same something that could not be said of any other industry" recalls Peter Hughes. Indeed with many of the current staff recruited in this early expansion, some of the faces remain the same. There was further expansion into the Norwich area in 1972, Ipswich in 1976 and Bury St Edmunds in 1979.
The 1980s and 1990s Technological revolution
The Hughes Electrical product range has expanded enormously during the last 2 decades as video recording and digital technology opened up whole new consumer markets. It began with the Betamax versus VHS video recorder format war that saw Hughes selling and renting both the recorders and the pre-recorded tapes. Audio had its own format battle with the introduction of CDs in the early 80s, which renewed the audio system and separates market. Video cameras were introduced and with increasing miniaturisation became camcorders and latterly digital camcorders. Satellite was also introduced at the end of the 80s with that now legendary format battle between Sky and BSB. Throughout all this Hughes has provided the latest equipment, expert advice and quality service support that has given its customers the confidence to enjoy each technological advance.
Our Thetford warehouse Electrical products have continued to evolve and become faster, cheaper, better and (with the obvious exception of televisions) smaller. Digital technology has caused video to be replaced by DVD,camcorders by digicams,The 1980s and 1990s Technological revolution analogue television reception by Sky and Freeview and after 50 years cathode ray tubes by plasma and LCD panels. The home entertainment experience has moved on with the television now very much the centre of events.
The New Millennium - the digital age
Hughes have also moved on with management now into its 3rd generation under Robert and Jeremy Hughes and the Hughes Direct Internet site complimenting the 33 high street and out-of-town stores. Hughes Electrical is now East Anglia's largest independent electrical retailer and with 5 service centres, 100 engineers and a 60,000 sq ft distribution facility Hughes has maintained its commitment to service. The company motto of "inspiring customer loyalty through quality service" is as relevant and true today as when Frank Hughes first founded the business over 85 years ago.
Hughes TV & Audio Ltd. Registered in England No. 695682
Registered Office: Mobbs Way, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 3AL
