HMV Comeback UK Stores – Where and When They’re Opening

HMV has launched an ambitious expansion across the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe following its 2019 acquisition by Sunrise Records. The entertainment retailer confirmed new stores opening soon in Peterborough, Cork, and The Hague, marking a significant reversal from the financial distress that previously threatened the brand’s survival.

The strategic growth builds upon a gradual recovery that began when the Canadian music retailer purchased the business out of administration. Since then, HMV has methodically rebuilt its presence, returning to London’s Oxford Street in 2023 after a four-year absence and establishing flagship locations in major shopping destinations.

The expansion extends beyond British shores, with new locations at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough and Merchants Quay Shopping Centre in Cork representing the latest phase of growth, alongside the company’s first continental European store in The Hague, Netherlands.

Is HMV Making a Comeback with New UK Stores?

HMV is definitively returning to UK high streets with confirmed physical store openings after twice entering administration during the past decade. The current expansion represents the most aggressive growth phase since Sunrise Records rescued the brand in early 2019.

• Sunrise Acquisition: Doug Putman’s Canadian music retailer purchased HMV out of administration in early 2019 following declining CD and DVD sales
• Flagship Launch: The Birmingham Bullring location opened in 2019 as the first major store under new ownership
• London Return: Oxford Street welcomed HMV back in 2023 after a four-year hiatus from the prestigious retail strip
• Immediate Expansion: Three additional openings are confirmed for late 2024 or early 2025 in Peterborough, Cork, and The Hague
• Community Strategy: Managing Director Phil Halliday emphasizes creating “new homes for communities of fans” rather than traditional transactional retail
• Format Resilience: The expansion coincides with renewed consumer interest in vinyl records and physical entertainment formats
• Economic Impact: New stores are projected to create hundreds of jobs and increase footfall in local town centres

Where and When Are New HMV Stores Opening?

HMV currently operates across multiple UK regions with confirmed locations spanning England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The network is expanding to include Ireland and continental Europe.

England Locations

Current English stores include Birmingham Bullring, Manchester Trafford Centre, Liverpool One, Leeds White Rose, Milton Keynes, Sheffield Meadowhall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Bristol, and Southampton. Peterborough will open soon at Queensgate Shopping Centre.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Regional locations include Cardiff in Wales, Glasgow Braehead and Edinburgh Ocean Terminal in Scotland, and Belfast in Northern Ireland. These stores maintain HMV’s presence in key Celtic markets.

Ireland and Europe

Irish operations currently include Dublin and Galway. Cork will open soon at Merchants Quay Shopping Centre, becoming the retailer’s third Irish store. The Hague in the Netherlands represents HMV’s first continental European location and entry into new international markets.

What Is the Timeline of HMV’s History and Revivals?

HMV’s corporate history includes two administrations and multiple rescue phases that have shaped the current expansion strategy.

The First Administration (2013)

The company first entered administration in January 2013, closing numerous stores before restructuring firm Hilco UK intervened. This period marked the first major contraction of the retailer’s physical footprint.

The Second Collapse (2018)

Following a period of stabilization, HMV faced renewed challenges in December 2018 due to declining CD and DVD sales. This second administration proved more severe, resulting in the ultimate acquisition by Sunrise Records.

The Sunrise Rescue and Recovery (2019-Present)

Sunrise Records acquired the company out of administration in early 2019. Under Doug Putman’s leadership, HMV opened its Birmingham Bullring flagship in 2019 and returned to London’s Oxford Street in 2023 after a four-year absence. Subsequent openings included Canterbury, Solihull, and Belfast.

Who Owns HMV Now and What Are the Expansion Plans?

Sunrise Records, led by Chief Executive Doug Putman, owns HMV. Phil Halliday serves as Managing Director, overseeing daily operations and the community-focused retail strategy.

Future expansion plans include consideration of additional openings in Ireland and mainland Europe based on business viability. The company projects that new stores will create hundreds of jobs and increase footfall in local town centres.

What Is the Chronology of HMV’s Store Openings?

1. January 2013: First administration under Hilco UK rescue
2. December 2018: Second administration due to declining physical media sales
3. February 2019: Sunrise Records acquires HMV out of administration
4. 2019: Birmingham Bullring flagship opens
5. 2023: Oxford Street return after four-year absence
6. 2023: Canterbury, Solihull, and Belfast locations open
7. 2024: Peterborough Queensgate location confirmed opening soon
8. 2024: Cork Merchants Quay location confirmed opening soon
9. 2024: The Hague location confirmed as first continental European store

What Is Confirmed Versus Uncertain About HMV’s Plans?

Why Is HMV Returning to Physical Retail Now?

The resurgence of vinyl records and persistent demand for physical media formats has created market conditions supporting HMV’s brick-and-mortar strategy. While digital streaming dominates music consumption, collectors and enthusiasts continue to value tangible products, particularly vinyl LPs and exclusive merchandise.

HMV’s positioning as a community hub rather than a simple retail outlet aligns with broader high street trends where experiential destinations draw foot traffic. This approach mirrors expansion strategies seen in other retail sectors currently growing their physical presence, such as Chick-fil-A UK – Locations, Menu and Expansion Plans, which similarly targets specific demographic communities.

The company’s return to prominent locations like Oxford Street signals confidence in the brand’s rehabilitation and the continued relevance of physical entertainment retail in an otherwise digitally-transformed marketplace.

What Have HMV Executives Said About the Revival?

“We’re constantly striving to create new homes for communities of fans to come together and share their love of music and popular culture.”

— Phil Halliday, Managing Director, HMV

Additional openings in Ireland and mainland Europe are being considered based on business viability.

— Doug Putman, Chief Executive, Sunrise Records

What Does HMV’s Comeback Mean for UK High Streets?

HMV’s expansion from administration to active growth represents a significant vote of confidence in physical retail, creating hundreds of jobs and revitalizing footfall in town centres from Peterborough to Cork. The entertainment retailer’s commitment to community spaces offers a model for sustainable high street presence, distinguishing itself from both digital-only competitors and other retail chains such as British Heart Foundation Near Me – Find Shops, Locations and Hours that serve different consumer needs but similarly anchor local shopping districts.

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