HMV to reopen legendary Oxford Street flagship store

 
His Master's Voice: The first HMV was opened in 1921 by Sir Edward Elgar on 363 Oxford Street
Michael Howie27 September 2013

HMV will return to its original flagship store tomorrow 92 years after it first opened on Oxford Street.

The first HMV was opened in 1921 by Sir Edward Elgar on 363 Oxford Street and played host to the signing of The Beatles’ recording contract and performances from the likes of Madonna and Run DMC.

The retailer remained there until 2000, when the brand moved to a site further down London’s famous shopping street.

The new HMV store replaces a branch of the footwear chain Footlocker. The music retailer’s current Oxford Street location will be occupied by Sports Direct.

Nigel Howard

After struggling with declining CD, DVD and video game markets as well as fierce supermarket and online competition, HMV went into administration in January with debts of £176 million with 66 of 220 shops facing closure.

But the music retailer was bought out by restructuring firm Hilco in April in a deal that safeguarded 1500 jobs and 23 stores that had been earmarked for closure.

HMV chairman said the relaunched brand would seek to bring consumers closer to the music industry. He plans to double or treble the number of in-store performance and signings by artists.

Chairman Paul McGowan said: “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 relevent. We have good contact with the music industry and we’re going to find ways to allow our customers to interact with artists.”

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