Exact date iconic high street favourite will return after four years and shoppers 'can’t wait' | The Sun
16th November 2023

MUSIC giant HMV has confirmed when it will be returning to its famous old London headquarters. 

The music retailer went into administration four years ago but now the chain is back and will return to 363 Oxford Street on November 24 creating 70 new jobs.

The move is thought to be due to the growing demand for vinyl, CDs and cassettes amongst younger listeners. 

Fans flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their joy at having learned the news. 

One user said; “Welcome back, we missed you.”

Another said: “Yes so can’t wait for this to open.”

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“Fantastic news” claimed a third. 

Shoppers can expect 20,000 CDs and vinyl albums more than 4,000 popular culture merchandise lines, at least 8,000 4kUHD, Blu-rays and DVDs, as well as some music technology products.

The owner hopes the shop will become the largest entertainment store in London and draw appearances and signings by renowned musicians to its “purpose-built performance floor”, including stars like Ed Sheeran.

HMV stands for His Master’s Voice, the title of a painting of dog Nipper listening to a gramophone, which is the company’s logo.

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The original store first opened in 1921 and the brand carved a place in music history with the Oxford Street store. 

In 1995, Blur played a rooftop gig to launch their Great Escape album as helicopters circled.

The following year, 6,000 people crowded to watch the Spice Girls turn Christmas Lights on at the landmark shop.

Since the music retailer went bust and closed the Oxford Street store the space was being rented by an American candy store. 

Now HMV is just as popular for its band T-shirts, Pokemon merchandise and Squishmallow toys as it is for its music

In April, HMV confirmed it had sealed a deal with the landlord to return to the iconic site.

The chain has made a significant turnaround since it was taken over by Canadian billionaire Doug Putnam.

He said: “Our new HMV shop concept and fan-focused offer is really working for us, with HMV once again becoming a mainstay on the UK high street.

“The return to Oxford Street and reopening of our flagship is a culmination of the team’s hard work over the past four years and, as a business, we see it as the launchpad for an exciting new era for HMV."

“We want our new Oxford Street shop to become a home for like-minded pop-culture fans and music lovers to come together under one roof, as it memorably has been in the past for so many people."

“We can’t wait to open our doors on the 24th, with a host of exciting entertainment planned for our customers.”

The happy news comes as many other high street retailers have been struggling to get buy.  

Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and have no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand. 

B&M has closed nine of its stores since February this year.

Poundstretcher has closed five stores this year with another due to close by next year.

Even Tesco announced it will be closing a store this week.

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