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Deloitte has confirmed that a further 37 HMV stores will close over the next four to six weeks.
Nick Edwards, joint administrator, commented: “As part of our ongoing review of HMV’s financial position, we have undertaken a further review of the store portfolio and have identified an additional 37 stores for closure.
“This step has been taken in order to enhance the prospects of the restructured business continuing as a going concern. Together with the previously identified 66 closures, this restructuring will result in a residual portfolio of some 116 stores.”
But fear not HMV staff, it appears you have a hero to save the day.
Elton John is planning to dress up in one of his best wigs and most dazzling sequined jackets to put on a gig in one of your stores in an attempt to revive interest in the struggling firm.
Apparently, despite the music retailer going into administration earlier this year, record labels are still keen to see HMV survive.
David Joseph, the chief executive of Universal UK, to which John is signed, said: "We’ve got lot of artist support for HMV. Last week one of our biggest global superstars said why don’t we get a lot of the biggest artists to start doing gigs in HMV, just to turn up and say these are music stores, come and get your music here."
Possibly too little too late?
Here is a list of the additional 37 stores identified for closure:
Ashford, Basildon, Bolton, Cheltenham, East Kilbride, Enfield, Folkestone, Glasgow Argyle, Gloucester, Grimsby, Hatfield Galleria, Heathrow T5 Departure Level, Heathrow Terminal 1, Heathrow Terminal 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, Hemel Hempstead, High Wycombe, Isle of Wight, Lancaster, Leadenhall, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Newbury, Newcastle Silverlink, Newport, Nuneaton, Redditch, Salisbury, Scarborough, Southport, Stafford, Staines, Stockport, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Woking.
For a list of the previous 66 stores set for closure, which was announced on February 7th, click here.
