Whistleblowers say Hughes is closing its Lowestoft depot

It is understood that Hughes' centre on Mobbs Way, Lowestoft is due to close sometime in August and there are fears "most staff will be laid off".

Hughes has been contacted for comment.

Hughes Electrical began in Lowestoft in 1921. (Image: Mick Howes)An ex-employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Employees were told not to talk to anyone about this.

"But Hughes Electrical, based on Mobbs Way in Lowestoft, has been told by higher management that they’re closing the site likely by sometime in August and will be laying off the majority of the staff. Most of which have served 10-plus years."

The ex-staff member added that the depot "has always been hailed as one of the best and most productive depots in the region," and at their employee conference last month, employees were told how well the company was doing.

It is said Hughes' service centre on Mobbs Way will be closing later this year. (Image: Mick Howes)Another whistleblower, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said "about fifty people will lose their jobs," including those working in admin, installation and refurbishment.

It is claimed promises have been made to relocate staff but the nearest depot from Lowestoft is either in Norwich or Ipswich.

All three informants said Hughes' London Road North branch will also be closing. (Image: Mick Howes)Another informant said Hughes Mobbs Way has been given four months until they close the depot. 

They said staff were not given a reason and told not to tell anyone on social media.

All three whistleblowers said the company was also planning to close its London Road North branch and relocate inside the soon-to-close Poundland unit in North Quay Industrial Park.

One of them added: "Sadly another addition to the ever-declining town. With another large group of people who will no doubt struggle to find another job within the town where unemployment is already so high. 

"Sadly the company is ran by too many suits with large salaries, most of which have never done the jobs expected of the hard-working people below them."

Lowestoft's Electrical Empire

Since being founded as a one-man operation in 1921, Hughes Electrical has expanded to 23 stores across the East of England.

One hundred and three years ago Frank Hughes began rewinding industrial electric motors for the Lowestoft fishing fleet. Seven years later, he bought his first shop on Tonning Street in Lowestoft, where he built and sold radios.

At the company's centenary, Mr Hughes' grandson Robert - now chairman of the company - said his grandfather would be astounded by the scale of the company now, 100 years later.

FLASHBACK: Robert Hughes, chairman, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Hughes Electrical in 2021. With Robert is a 1955 Bush radio, and a 1955/56 17 inch television. (Image: Denise Bradley)With branches in areas including Thetford, Fakenham and Gorleston, the company has been known to increase the size of its premises. The London Road North branch was doubled in size in 2013 after the firm bought the former Jarrold's shop next door. In 2015, Hughes moved its Great Yarmouth town centre shop into a new unit built on the site of the former Two Bears Hotel on Bridge Road.

Across its history, Hughes has been forced to adapt on a number of occasions, from introducing rental services to taking the plunge into the world wide web. Its former Newmarket branch closed suddenly in February due "unprecedented increase" in the use of its website.

The five members of staff who worked in the Newmarket store were offered alternative positions within the company.