It's not a well-known fact that TJ Hughes, the man who founded the iconic Liverpool department store died in mysterious and tragic circumstances.
Thomas J Hughes founded the first of his many TJ Hughes stores over a century ago.
He started his first store on London Road in 1912 with only five shop assistants. Within 20 years it had grown into one of the city's biggest department stores, employing over 400 staff.
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Reported in the Liverpool Echo on April 14, 1933, it was while aboard a steamship travelling to Belfast, the businessman took his own life.
He is said to have climbed the rail surrounding the ship's stern and shot himself. His body was reported to have plunged into the Irish Sea and has never been recovered.
In the Liverpool ECHO on Saturday, April 15, 1933, the story covering Thomas J Hughes' apparent suicide appeared on page five.
Under the headline "Tragic end of Mr T J Hughes - founder of a great city store" the account of his death reported: "Liverpool business circles were shocked today by the news of the tragic end of Mr. Thomas J. Hughes, founder of the firm of Messrs. T. J. Hughes and Co., Ltd., London Road, Liverpool.
"Mr Hughes, who lived at Essedale Meols-drive, West Kirby, was travelling to Belfast in the Belfast Steamship Company’s motor vessel Ulster Queen.
"When the boat was a few miles south-east of the Isle of Man, Mr Hughes was seen to climb on the taffrail and fire a shot.
"He was then seen to fall into the sea.
"The Ulster Queen was stopped and a prolonged search was made for him without success.
"A letter addressed to his wife was found."
The reporter went on to interview Mr Hughes' brother-in-law, Mr F Hughes, who said: “Twelve months ago his health was in such a precarious state through overwork that the was compelled to relinquish much of his responsibility in his business.
“Latterly a reaction had set in, and the strain he had undergone had made the comparative leisure of recent months insupportable, and a strangeness of manner had been apparent."
Mr Hughes left a widow and three daughters. His name is recorded on a family memorial in Liverpool’s Anfield Cemetery.
His brother-in-law said there was no question of financial difficulties contributing to his state of mind as the business was continuing to do well.
Despite his death, T J Hughes' name lived on and by 2011, there were 57 shops over the UK. However, in that same year the company went into administration.
In December 2021, plans to convert the iconic former department store building into a new residential complex were submitted.
The proposals would see Audley House, the current site of TJ Hughes on London Road, converted into 266 apartments.
The application also includes plans to provide ancillary space for a residents' gym with potential for a vertical extension of the building.
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