Forgotten death of TJ Hughes whose body was never found The death of the man who started the iconic department store was a sad end to a brilliant life Updated Mr and Mrs TJ Hughes - Thomas and Kathleen - with their children, from left to right, Valerie, Shirley and Brenda, at their home in West Kirby in 1927 TJ Hughes has remained an iconic department store in Liverpool despite its fluctuations in fortunes over the years. In the 100 years since the first department store was opened, its long success remained a testament to founder Thomas J Hughes' hard work and vision.