HMV has announced plans to open 10 new shops this year as it backed the struggling UK high street.
The music and entertainment retailer says its plans include a search for a new London flagship site after closing its Oxford Street store in 2019.
The iconic London branch shut when HMV was saved from administration two years ago in a deal that saw 27 stores close for good.
HMV collapsed into administration in December 2018 for the second time in six years, blaming a growing trend of people streaming films and music for its struggles.
But its high street expansion was announced today as HMV marked the opening of its first store in London some 100 years ago.
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The first of its 10 new planned stores opened today in Solihull in the West Midlands, but HMV couldn’t say where its other branches would be.
In an interview with The Mirror, Doug Putman, the Canadian entrepreneur who breathed new life into HMV since buying it out of administration, said he wants to see the high street thrive.
On Amazon, which has seen sales increase in lockdown as physical stores shut, he said: “It is a very selfish business.
“If you take people off the high street it is a sad place.”
However, he claimed people were becoming aware of the long-term benefits of backing our high streets.
Mr Putman, who owns Sunrise Records, said: “We want to keep opening stores.
“If the government does the right thing on rates and landlords are willing to work with us, it makes sense to open more.
“If the government doesn’t then it will be impossible.”
HMV has announced a programme of live in-store events and signings to entice customers to its shop.
On August 25, Ed Sheeran will perform a special small gig at the HMV Empire, Coventry that will be free to 700 fans.
Mr Putman said: “This is a huge year for HMV, and we want to set up the business so that it’s still here in another 100 years’ time.”
HMV has 107 shops across the UK and sells a range of entertainment products such as DVDs, CDs, vinyl and games.
