HMV to reopen original Oxford Street store tomorrow

Following the sale of their flagship London store to Sports Direct, HMV are set to move back to their original shop on Oxford Street this weekend (28 September) – sooner than the October due date originally planned.

The financially-troubled music chain recently sold their huge 150 Oxford Street branch, previously the biggest record store in the world, to the company owned by Newcastle United chairman Mike Ashley for somewhere between £2-5 million.

They will now return to the 363 Oxford Street property, opened by Sir Edward Elgar in 1921, during October. It’s roughly a third of the side of the former branch.

The announcement comes from chairman Paul McGowan, who released the following statement:

“We wanted to stay in Oxford Street. We wanted a smaller but decent size spaced and the great thing about 363 is that it’s the original home of the brand.

We are reconnecting with the music industry and bringing the brand full circle.

It’s really important that people will recognise HMV as still current and relevant. We have good contact with the music industry and we’re going to find ways to allow our customers to interact with artists.”

HMV initially went into administration back in January, with several stores shutting and many losing their jobs. They were rescued by financial restructuring group Hilco and are currently in the process of transition between proper owners.

[via The 405]