Administrators Deloitte have announced that HMV will close an additional 37 stores across the UK, resulting in the loss of 464 jobs. This latest round of closures comes on top of the 66 stores already earmarked for shutdown, meaning almost half of HMV's 219 UK branches will be closed.
The closures are scheduled to take place over the next four to six weeks. HMV entered administration in January, facing intense competition from online retailers. Joint administrator Nick Edwards stated, 'This step has been taken in order to enhance the prospects of the restructured business continuing as a going concern.'
Edwards added, 'We are extremely grateful to the staff for their continued strong support and commitment during an understandably difficult period.' Earlier this month, the chain signed trading agreements with the majority of its suppliers, ensuring new stock will continue to be available in stores.
The 37 affected stores include locations in Ashford, Basildon, Bolton, Cheltenham, East Kilbride, Enfield, Folkestone, Glasgow Argyle, Gloucester, Grimsby, Hatfield Galleria, Heathrow Terminals 1, 3, 4, and 5, 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, and Woking.
