From Carlisle TV shop to leading hi-fi specialist: Peter Tyson celebrates 60 years

Family-run retailer Peter Tyson is marking its 60th anniversary this year, celebrating six decades of change, growth and expertise in audio-visual retail.

The business began in 1966 as a small television shop on West Tower Street, Carlisle. 

Today, it operates luxury showrooms in Carlisle, Workington and Newcastle upon Tyne, alongside a national online and telesales business. 

Over 75 people work for the company, which has become one of the UK’s largest independent hi-fi and AV specialists.

Its reputation among manufacturers is substantial. In some years, Peter Tyson has been the world’s largest dealer for both Linn and Naim Audio, and it is regularly ranked among the top three worldwide for McIntosh. The company hopes its anniversary will help more music lovers discover the name behind those well-known audio brands.

A family business with a long history

Founder Peter Tyson repaired and serviced televisions before opening his first shop in the year England won the World Cup. At the time, more households were buying televisions rather than renting them, and the shop became one of Carlisle’s first independent TV retailers.

In the early 1970s, the company moved into hi-fi, initially selling Japanese brands including Kenwood, National Panasonic and Technics. It later added specialist British manufacturers such as Arcam and Linn, helping to build its standing with audiophiles.

Peter Tyson launched petertyson.co.uk around the turn of the millennium, becoming one of the country’s early hi-fi retailers to sell online. Its Carlisle operation moved to a purpose-built showroom and distribution centre in 2017. A new 5,000 sq ft store opened at Lillyhall, Workington, in July 2025, while the Newcastle showroom has also received major improvements to its demonstration facilities.

A chance to hear the difference

The company’s showrooms are designed to let customers compare systems at their own pace. Dedicated listening rooms allow people to hear equipment in comfortable surroundings, with demonstrations shaped around their music, room and budget.

Peter Tyson’s stock gives customers the opportunity to compare competing brands in one visit. Someone considering Linn or Naim, for example, can listen to both without travelling between dealers.

 The range stretches from affordable first systems to high-end installations costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. At a recent vinyl event in Carlisle, visitors heard a McIntosh and Sonus faber system valued at around £300,000.

“You can go to high-end hi-fi shops or you can go to entry-level hi-fi shops; there are very few places that can take you from the top of the market to the bottom and back again, and let you hear the difference for yourself,” said Luke Tyson, director and hi-fi brand manager, and the third generation of the family to work in the business.

In 2026, Peter Tyson introduced a dedicated luxury hi-fi section on its website, bringing together around 16 brands, including Linn, Naim, McIntosh, Sonus faber, Bowers & Wilkins, Focal, KEF and Chord Electronics. Its trained, brand-authorised staff support customers choosing equipment, including products available in bespoke finishes.

The retailer also caters for people starting out, with pre-matched system bundles combining amplifiers, speakers and cables. Its own British-made hi-fi brand, Fell Audio, takes inspiration from the Cumbrian landscape.

Vinyl is bringing new audiences into the showrooms, Luke Tyson said: “People buy a record, and then they want to come in and hear it properly.”

Looking ahead

The Tyson family continues to lead the business, alongside long-serving employees, some of whom have been with the company for 30 years. The founder’s motto, “The name you can trust”, remains central to its approach, whether customers visit in person or order online.

Alongside hi-fi and AV, Peter Tyson sells televisions, home appliances, coffee machines and small appliances, with national sales through petertysonelectricals.co.uk. The wider business supports its investment in stock, buying power and showrooms.

Looking to the next five years, Luke Tyson wants to introduce Peter Tyson to a wider audience. “Whether it’s a turntable or an all-in-one streaming system, beautiful Italian loudspeakers or slim aluminium Danish wireless speakers, we have the products, the expertise and the showrooms,” he said. 

“We want to take that to a much wider audience and show people just what’s possible.”

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Can Hackers Target Business Fridges and Freezers? Cybersecurity Protection Tips

Could hackers compromise your business fridges and freezers? Discover how to protect smart refrigeration equipment, valuable stock and connected systems.

When business owners think about cybersecurity, they probably worry about hackers accessing their computers, stealing customer information or taking control of their payment systems. 

But what about their fridges and freezers?

It might sound like the plot of a rather silly science fiction film, but modern commercial refrigeration equipment can genuinely be vulnerable to cyber attacks.

From supermarket freezer cabinets and restaurant cold rooms to pharmaceutical refrigerators and temperature-controlled warehouses, increasing numbers of refrigeration systems are connected to the internet.

And anything connected to a network could potentially provide an opportunity for cybercriminals.

Why would hackers target a fridge?

The answer is surprisingly straightforward. Many modern refrigeration systems use smart technology to monitor temperatures, control energy consumption, issue maintenance alerts and allow engineers to make adjustments remotely.

These features can save businesses considerable amounts of money. Unfortunately, poorly secured equipment can also introduce cybersecurity risks.

A cybercriminal who gains access to a refrigeration management system might be able to interfere with temperature settings, disable alerts or disrupt monitoring.

Imagine a restaurant discovering that thousands of pounds' worth of food has spoiled because its refrigeration system was interfered with overnight.

Or consider the potentially serious consequences for a pharmacy, hospital or medical laboratory where temperature-sensitive medicines and samples must be stored within strictly controlled limits.

In some circumstances, compromised equipment could also provide an entry point into a company's wider computer network.

How can businesses protect themselves?

Fortunately, there are several sensible precautions that businesses can take.

1. Find out whether your refrigeration equipment is connected to the internet.

Not every commercial fridge or freezer has internet connectivity. However, equipment with remote monitoring, Wi-Fi, Ethernet connections or cloud-based management should be included in your cybersecurity assessments.

2. Change default passwords.

Never leave equipment using factory-set usernames and passwords. Replace these with strong, unique credentials and enable multi-factor authentication wherever supported.

3. Keep software updated.

Smart refrigeration equipment may require firmware and software updates. Ask your supplier or maintenance contractor how security updates are provided and whether the equipment is still supported.

4. Separate refrigeration systems from business computers.

Where possible, place connected refrigeration equipment on a separate network from payment terminals, customer databases and other sensitive business systems.

5. Restrict remote access.

Only authorised staff and trusted maintenance engineers should be able to access refrigeration controls remotely. Disable unnecessary remote access features and review third-party access regularly.

6. Install independent temperature alarms.

Consider using a separate temperature monitoring and alarm system that cannot be disabled through the same network connection as the refrigeration controls.

7. Prepare for an emergency.

Every business storing perishable goods should have a contingency plan covering refrigeration failures, including suspected cyber attacks.

This might involve alternative cold storage, emergency maintenance arrangements and procedures for checking whether food or medicines remain safe.

Don't forget your refrigeration maintenance company

Businesses should also ask their refrigeration contractors about cybersecurity.

Do engineers access equipment remotely? How are their passwords protected? Can former employees still access customers' systems?

A reputable supplier should be able to explain how connected equipment is secured and maintained.

Cybersecurity isn't just an IT problem

The increasing use of connected technology means cybersecurity is becoming relevant to almost every aspect of business operations.

A restaurant owner might not regard a walk-in freezer as a computer system. Similarly, a supermarket manager might not immediately consider refrigeration cabinets when reviewing cybersecurity arrangements.

Nevertheless, connected equipment deserves the same attention as other networked business technology.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides practical advice for businesses seeking to improve their cybersecurity arrangements.

Visit the National Cyber Security Centre for further guidance. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk

The bottom line? Your business might have invested thousands of pounds in sophisticated refrigeration equipment to protect valuable stock. It makes good business sense to ensure that equipment is protected from hackers as well.

After all, nobody wants to discover that their business has been left out in the cold by a cybercriminal.