After closing its outlet in Liverpool One at the beginning of the month iconic music retailer HMV is set to reappear at a new city centre location. Tony McDonough reports
Iconic music retailer HMV will reopen its Liverpool store at a new city centre location later this month.
At the start of July HMV closed its downsized outlet at Liverpool ONE and, on July 20, the store will relaunch at its new home in St Johns Shopping Centre. Its arrival at St Johns following six new tenants that arrived at the mall in April.
Founded in 1921, HMV is the music retailer that has refused to die, despite collapsing into administration in 2015 and again in 2018. Digital downloads and streaming appeared to sound the death knell for retailers selling music and videos.
However, in February 2019 HMV was acquired by the Canadian company Sunrise Records and it remains a presence on the UK high street. It joins other brands at St Johns including JD Sports and Matalan.
St Johns opened its doors in 1969 and has since established itself as a leading shopping centre in the North West, despite competition from Liverpool One. Its new HMV store will occupy a 10,000 square foot unit in the centre.
Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV, said: “There has been an HMV in Liverpool for many decades and we have always enjoyed sharing our enthusiasm for music, film and popular culture with the city’s community.
“As we celebrate our 100th anniversary this year, we are thrilled to be launching an even bigger and better store, and our team are looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming in St Johns’ customers very soon.”
Neil Ashcroft, centre manager at St Johns Liverpool, added: “HMV is an iconic and enduring brand, and we are delighted to have them joining us in St Johns this July.
“St Johns has been an important part of the community for over 50 years and the arrival of HMV in the centre is a real cause for celebration. We’re thrilled to have our shoppers back and we’re even more delighted to be bringing them new, exciting stores for 2021.”