A triumphant return for HMV as shoppers queue to get inside as it opens its doors on Oxford Street after four years away
- HMV shut the store in 2019 after the retail chain tumbled into administration
HMV is back at its historic Oxford Street store after a four-year absence with the band Madness opening the shutters for queuing members of the public this morning.
The entertainment shop will host a raft of bands with live performances as it welcomes customers to the shop it first opened in 1921.
HMV shut the store in 2019 after the retail chain tumbled into administration and was forced to axe stores and jobs. The site, at 363 Oxford Street, had been operating as an American sweet shop following its closure.
However, in April HMV confirmed it had sealed a deal with the landlord to return to the site - and the retailer's boss said today is a 'great moment' for the chain's recovery.
Owner Doug Putman said he hopes the shop can have 'crowds which will shut down the street' again, harking back to memorable visits including Michael Jackson, the Spice Girls and Sir Paul McCartney.
![Members of the band Madness open the shutters to waiting members of the public today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/12/78196073-12786649-image-a-11_1700827610932.jpg)
Members of the band Madness open the shutters to waiting members of the public today
![Members of the public queue for the opening of the HMV shop on Oxford Street in central London on November 24](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/11/78194809-12786649-image-a-1_1700825023726.jpg)
Members of the public queue for the opening of the HMV shop on Oxford Street in central London on November 24
![Members of the band Madness pose for a photograph after opening the HMV Shop](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/12/78196083-12786649-image-a-12_1700827649574.jpg)
Members of the band Madness pose for a photograph after opening the HMV Shop
![Owner of HMV, Doug Putman, with dog Holly outside the new HMV store](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/10/78192983-12786649-image-a-17_1700821278873.jpg)
Owner of HMV, Doug Putman, with dog Holly outside the new HMV store
The site on Oxford Street went on to become an American sweet shop
The company began back in 1921 and held its iconic site on Oxford street for nearly 100 years
![Inside the new HMV store, which has returned to Oxford Street in London following a four-year absence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/09/78190883-12786649-image-a-12_1700817011896.jpg)
Inside the new HMV store, which has returned to Oxford Street in London following a four-year absence
The retailer was rescued from insolvency by Canadian Doug Putman's Sunrise Records business.
The entrepreneur, who recently attempted to buy fellow high street chain Wilko from collapse, told the PA news agency the chain has returned after striking a better deal with the shop's landlord.
'It is a pretty great moment for us, coming back here after four years away,' he said.
'When we bought the business, we couldn't keep the site because the rates bill and rent just didn't make any financial sense.
'Getting another location in London was an immediate priority and as it became more obvious that the rent and rate situation here had improved and the landlord was open to discussions, we just felt it would be the right move to come back to somewhere with such history to us.'
The store will feature the company's new logo and store layout, which it has been rolling out since 2021.
![Owner Doug Putman said he hopes the shop can have 'crowds which will shut down the street' again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/10/78192997-12786649-image-a-18_1700821318817.jpg)
Owner Doug Putman said he hopes the shop can have 'crowds which will shut down the street' again
![Mike Barson of the band Madness attends the opening of the new flagship store](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/15/78202663-12786649-image-a-16_1700839561863.jpg)
Mike Barson of the band Madness attends the opening of the new flagship store
![Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Woody Woodgate, Chris Foreman, Suggs and Lee Thompson of the band Madness](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/15/78202679-12786649-image-a-17_1700839572873.jpg)
Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Woody Woodgate, Chris Foreman, Suggs and Lee Thompson of the band Madness
![The entertainment chain is hosting a raft of bands with live performances as it welcomes customers back today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/09/78190893-12786649-image-a-13_1700817029455.jpg)
The entertainment chain is hosting a raft of bands with live performances as it welcomes customers back today
![The store first opened to the public back in 1921](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/09/77893289-12786649-The_store_first_opened_to_the_public_back_in_1921-a-1_1700816496062.jpg)
The store first opened to the public back in 1921
![The store closed in 2019 after the company tumbled into administration before a rescue takeover was launched by Canadian Doug Putman's Sunrise Records](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/09/77892923-12786649-The_store_closed_in_2019_after_the_company_tumbled_into_administ-a-2_1700816498378.jpg)
The store closed in 2019 after the company tumbled into administration before a rescue takeover was launched by Canadian Doug Putman's Sunrise Records
![The company's successful reopening of its once-flagship store follows a significant turnaround in trading since it was taken over by Mr Putman in 2019](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/09/77893079-12786649-The_company_s_successful_reopening_of_its_once_flagship_store_fo-a-3_1700816505677.jpg)
The company's successful reopening of its once-flagship store follows a significant turnaround in trading since it was taken over by Mr Putman in 2019
Mr Putman said he was 'positive' about the future of the London shopping destination, which has seen the local council clamp down on the sale of some illegal and counterfeit goods from sweet and souvenir shops.
'We think our return shows the positive direction things are going in here,' he said.
'It is all about balance. There is no problem having the odd candy store here but people don't need tens of them, but also want to see an HMV or a Waterstones.'
HMV said the shop will become the largest entertainment store in London and is expected to draw appearances and signings by renowned musicians to its 'purpose-built performance floor'.
![1921 - The opening ceremony at HMV Oxford Street was led by composer Sir Edward Elgar, which is thought to be the first ever in-store personal appearance by a recording artist](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/09/70299393-12786649-1921_The_opening_ceremony_at_HMV_Oxford_Street_was_led_by_compos-a-5_1700816524080.jpg)
1921 - The opening ceremony at HMV Oxford Street was led by composer Sir Edward Elgar, which is thought to be the first ever in-store personal appearance by a recording artist
![1950s - Shoppers look at classical music vinyl records at HMV Oxford Street](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/24/09/70299391-12786649-1950s_Shoppers_look_at_classical_music_vinyl_records_at_HMV_Oxfo-a-4_1700816516962.jpg)
1950s - Shoppers look at classical music vinyl records at HMV Oxford Street
It will stock more than 4,000 popular culture merchandise lines, some 20,000 vinyl albums and CDs, in excess of 8,000 4kUHD, Blu-rays and DVDs, as well as music technology products.
The opening follows a significant turnaround in trading at the retailer under Mr Putman's ownership, which has seen it return to profitability amid increased focus on vinyl, live gigs and merchandise.
HMV currently has 120 shops across the UK, including a West London location in Westfield in White City, the specialist Fopp store in Covent Garden, and the 25,000 sq ft Vault in Birmingham - which is Europe's largest entertainment store.