Sadness as future of Oxford's HMV looks grim (From thisisoxfordshire)

Sadness as future of Oxford's HMV looks grim

10:30am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News By Fran Bardsley, covering Education, East Oxford and Cowley. Call me on 01865 425439

SHOPPERS flocked to Oxford’s HMV store yesterday as they reminisced about its place in music history.

Musicians, industry experts and business leaders last night spoke of their sadness that the music shop had gone into administration.

Since the branch in Oxford’s Cornmarket Street opened in the late 1980s, it has played host to gigs, record signings, along with some more random events.

Local bands including Young Knives and Foals have performed there, while it has also attracted national stars ranging from rapper Professor Green, supermodel Caprice and comedian Eddie Izzard.

It was also one of only a handful of places nationwide where music lovers could queue up to buy coveted tickets for the Reading Festival.

Oxford’s only remaining dedicated music sellers are Blackwell’s in Broad Street and Truck Store in Cowley Road.

Graham Jones, of traders group ROX, said if HMV were to go it would leave a “big hole to fill”, as it was a large retail outlet in the middle of the city centre.

But he said: “It does send out a message that retail is changing and people are doing things online.

“HMV was too late getting on to the downloading game.”

An HMV spokesman said: “The board understand that it is the intention of the administrators, once appointed, to continue to trade whilst they seek a purchaser for the business.”

Since the store went into administration yesterday it is not accepting gift vouchers or cards.

Yesterday police were called to the Oxford store after two customers refused to leave when they were told they could not exchange or use their gift vouchers.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Rhianne Pope said it was a dispute between two customers and members of staff over spending gift vouchers.

She said the customers left when two police officers arrived at the shop and no further action would be taken.

Do you have any special HMV memories? Let reporter Fran Bardsley know on 01865 425439 or email news@oxfordmail.co.uk