Swindon HMV store to close
1:53pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Latest News By Web Team
Swindon HMV store to close
MUSIC chain HMV has announced that the Swindon branch is to close.
The announcement, which affects 37 stores across the country, was made by adminstrators today and will see 464 jobs face the axe.
Deloitte said the stores would close over the next four to six weeks and would probably lead to all affected staff being made redundant, although it would try to relocate employees to other stores where possible.
The blow will leave around 116 stores in the HMV chain, after Deloitte said 66 stores would close earlier this month, affecting nearly 1,000 staff.
The store closures come after 60 staff were let go by Deloitte across HMV's head office network at Eastcastle Street in London, Marlow and Solihull nearly two weeks ago - including former HMV boss Trevor Moore.
Around 190 jobs had previously been cut by Deloitte in the chain's head offices and distribution centres.
Nick Edwards, joint administrator at Deloitte, said the decision to shut the stores was made to 'enhance the prospects of the restructured business continuing as a going concern'.
He added: "We are extremely grateful to the staff for their continued strong support and commitment during an understandably difficult period.
"All other key stakeholders including suppliers and landlords remain supportive and we appreciate their ongoing assistance."
HMV collapsed into administration last month, but Deloitte said last week that sale discussions were 'progressing' as it also announced it had secured stock from most of its suppliers that will see it continue to sell the latest blockbusters and music releases.
It said trading agreements had been put in place so stock could be replenished and it will be able to sell new hits, including the latest James Bond film Skyfall.
Restructuring firm Hilco - the group behind HMV Canada - has already bought the company's debt in a move that has raised hopes of a rescue deal.
HMV had more than 220 stores and 4,120 staff when it hit the wall in January after failing to keep pace with internet rivals and supermarkets, whose scale has enabled them to offer CDs and DVDs at cheaper prices.
Comments(21)
peatmoor pirate
says...
2:00pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Something new is needed; all Govt money should be focussed on job creation, especially for the young who are bearing the brunt of this depression.
peatmoor pirate
says...
2:13pm Wed 20 Feb 13
roberto5 wrote:Not just Swindon sadly. Report on the TV news this AM said that 1700 had applied for 8 (only 3 of them full time) jobs at a Costa (not sure which town). If anything sums up the dire situation we are currently in it's this.
Another empty unit to rot, along with half the town centre.
HMV were always crazily overpriced for music and games Im not surprised they have finally gone under. I feel sorry for the staff though, with Swindon currently being so bleak for work.
Bimbosforjustice
says...
2:23pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Aggressively pushed out smaller independents in the 80's and 90's then scandalous CD prices as high as £16.99 for a double CD in 1993 was not uncommon.
Failed to move with the times and little brand loyalty from children of that era to keep it going. Kids now look it with bemusement.
What we need now is a Poundland
LocalBob80
says...
3:12pm Wed 20 Feb 13
The "music" was loud and appalling noise
So much for Swindon "bucking the trend"
Jeremy Hilary Boob
says...
3:26pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Since then - Play.com have basically shut down and now HMV is packing up.
Unfortunately my crystal ball still can't see what's happening at the County Ground.
dukeofM4
says...
3:30pm Wed 20 Feb 13
rmc001
says...
3:45pm Wed 20 Feb 13
I suppose they could always redevelop the empty units into more hotels, flats or car parks, perhaps even build another housing estate.
Al Smith
says...
3:51pm Wed 20 Feb 13
dukeofM4 wrote:I doubt the council are the landlords and that is the problem. If they were then they could reduce the rent and encourage new stores to open (especially locally run ones).
I'm shocked Waterstone's and WHSmith still hang on. Ah...what could go in there? Dixons probably would not be interested as they're struggling as well. Fast food..no...the Gov't's 20% VAT hasn't helped them. Some cheap and nasty discount store or some kind of temporary shop? Yet another Starbucks? It's a tough call because the Council would want top rent for such a 'prime' location.
Tim Newroman
says...
4:05pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Very sad for the staff who're about to lose their jobs.
dukeofM4
says...
4:21pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Al Smith wrote:Whether it's the Council or a property developer, the Council certainly sets the tone for the town centre with policy decisions.
dukeofM4 wrote:I doubt the council are the landlords and that is the problem. If they were then they could reduce the rent and encourage new stores to open (especially locally run ones).
I'm shocked Waterstone's and WHSmith still hang on. Ah...what could go in there? Dixons probably would not be interested as they're struggling as well. Fast food..no...the Gov't's 20% VAT hasn't helped them. Some cheap and nasty discount store or some kind of temporary shop? Yet another Starbucks? It's a tough call because the Council would want top rent for such a 'prime' location.
Obviously if it can be digitised, or ordered on the internet, the bricks and mortar model is shrinking and the Council can't change that. The Council's mistakes of the past are certainly taking their toll now.
It's the same old question, if I'm a retailer or a company, would I invest in the middle of Swindon?
We have three Swindons, the decaying town centre, the Outlet Centre, and out of town shopping. It's obvious which one people have lost interest in.
whaddahey?!
says...
5:06pm Wed 20 Feb 13
A town with a quarter of a million people supports a single bookshop and no record store. But it DOES boast three poundstores, some shoe and mobile phone shops and a load of bars.
Do you get the cultural desert you deserve, at the end of the day?
Davidsyrett
says...
5:08pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Virtually everything can be bought cheaper on line than in the High Street as the overheads are so much cheaper.
Unless something is done soon, most of our shops, (except food) will no longer exist in a generation or so.
Jeremy Hilary Boob
says...
5:45pm Wed 20 Feb 13
dukeofM4 wrote:Which is why a lot of the council's "masterplan" is misguided. People don't want the old style "Town Centre" anyway - they want online shopping and retails parks.
Al Smith wrote:Whether it's the Council or a property developer, the Council certainly sets the tone for the town centre with policy decisions.
dukeofM4 wrote:I doubt the council are the landlords and that is the problem. If they were then they could reduce the rent and encourage new stores to open (especially locally run ones).
I'm shocked Waterstone's and WHSmith still hang on. Ah...what could go in there? Dixons probably would not be interested as they're struggling as well. Fast food..no...the Gov't's 20% VAT hasn't helped them. Some cheap and nasty discount store or some kind of temporary shop? Yet another Starbucks? It's a tough call because the Council would want top rent for such a 'prime' location.
Obviously if it can be digitised, or ordered on the internet, the bricks and mortar model is shrinking and the Council can't change that. The Council's mistakes of the past are certainly taking their toll now.
It's the same old question, if I'm a retailer or a company, would I invest in the middle of Swindon?
We have three Swindons, the decaying town centre, the Outlet Centre, and out of town shopping. It's obvious which one people have lost interest in.
Swindon could be ahead of the rest by realising this and shifting towards the town centre being much more of a mix of office/employment, leisure and residential. Those retail outlets left would largely serve those people who live and work in the town centre. The larger stores shift to retail parks and the more niche ones could move to relatively central smaller shopping areas such as Old Town, Gorse Hill and Rodbourne.
Morsey
says...
5:58pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Comments from the two self-praising MPs please ... hmmm?
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
7:50pm Wed 20 Feb 13
The figures relate to the 3 months ending in December so they probably haven't been as massaged as you think simply due to all the seasonal workers.
The next 3 months will probably see a large jump.
house on the hill
says...
6:54am Thu 21 Feb 13
TakeTheMick
says...
8:25am Thu 21 Feb 13
NorthernWarrior
says...
8:35am Thu 21 Feb 13
Still a sad day for Swindon, with both Blockbusters also closing that leaves CEX and that cheap 2ndhand shop where Virgin used to be as the only place to buy CD's/DVD's etc.
In the current economic climate and complete apathy from Government (sink or swim) I'm sure Swindon won't be the only town centre which will largely consist of pound stores, chavvy clothes stores, charity shops and overpriced coffee shops.
A.Baron-Cohen
says...
8:43am Thu 21 Feb 13
Always Grumpy
says...
5:38pm Thu 21 Feb 13
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:Isn't Swindon town centre already that?
The High street as we know it is obsolete, the best way for the High Street to survive is to become a community itself with a mix of shops, residential flats, and food outlet.
roberto5 says...
1:58pm Wed 20 Feb 13
HMV were always crazily overpriced for music and games Im not surprised they have finally gone under. I feel sorry for the staff though, with Swindon currently being so bleak for work.