Shropshire Star

Plenty of life in the old dog as Shrewsbury HMV moves . . . next door

His Master's Voice may not sound as loud as it once did, but Shrewsbury's branch of HMV proved there's still plenty of life in the old dog as it opened for business in a new home.

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Manager Kris Townsend at the relocated HMV storein Pride Hill Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury

The shop – famed for its logo of little Nipper listening to a gramophone recording – has moved from its old home in the Pride Hill Shopping Centre to a smaller unit next door.

It is the last of the major music chains to remain in the county town.

Just a few years ago shoppers had a choice of HMV in the Pride Hill Centre, MVC on Mardol and Virgin – later Zavvi – on Pride Hill.

But in these days of downloaded music, internet piracy and economic woe, only HMV remains standing in Shrewsbury.

And staff at the branch were delighted to find the tills busy when they opened for business yesterday.

The grand unveiling of the new shop coincided with the release of several major blockbuster films, and manager Kris Townsend said he could not be happier with the move.

Mr Townsend, 32, said: "The Hobbit is obviously our big thing at the moment so we've opened in time for that.

"Long term it was the best decision and it is also a way of saying to Shrewsbury that we are still here which is great news for the town. Because of our positioning people can now see us from the street which is very positive."

Nine members of staff work at the shop, and the team have spent the week moving stock over from their old premises.

Mr Townsend said: "It's been stressful but now that we're here I'm really pleased. We have had lots of new fittings and the store looks great."

HMV went into administration last January and was bought out by Hilco who saved 133 of the most profitable branches – including Shrewsbury, which has continued to trade throughout.

Kevin Lockwood, manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres,

said:"Clearly HMV went through a difficult time nationally but this was no reflection on the Pride Hill store which has always been popular and profitable.

"There is still something special about actually browsing for what you want."

Star comment - Why there is life in an old dog yet:

We've become somewhat accustomed to witnessing the demise of Britain's high street retail giants in recent years.

Woolworth's is no more, electrical firm Comet dramatically short-circuited, camera retailer Jessops became too exposed and computer software chain Game was one of several to fall victim to the brutal online revolution.

So it's reassuring today to see that there's still plenty of life left in that wily old musical dog, HMV.

True, His Master's Voice doesn't shout quite as loudly as it once did, but the iconic company has given a big vote of confidence to the Shropshire high street by opening up in a new high-profile site in the heart of Shrewsbury.

It's smaller than the old unit, but the company is still there, fighting hard to adapt and survive in an industry which has probably been impacted more severely than any other by the dawn of the internet age.

In times gone by, every town had at least one record store. Usually more. And browsing their latest releases was a rite of passage for generations.

It's not all that long ago that Shrewsbury still offered the choice of HMV, Virgin, and MVC. Most have retreated to the faceless, virtual world, leaving the way clear for out-of-town supermarkets to fill the void.

And yet, those brought up in either the vinyl or the CD age still hold a soft spot for record stores.

It was a sad day when the historically great HMV found itself in a financial crisis which forced bosses to call in the administrators.

But out of that process seems to have come a leaner and stronger retailer. Music does still sell well, not just in digital but also in physical form, and there clearly is a future in the business.

Maybe, though, the emphasis has subtly changed. We no longer need an HMV on our high street, but there are many among us who still want it. After all, having been on our streets since 1921, it is a bona-fide national institution.

So let us hope that the company can find a suitably profitable niche for its Shrewsbury site which allows it to thrive, and continue to offer shoppers the unique music shop experience, for many years to come.

The disappearance of HMV from the high street is in the interests of neither consumers nor the music industry and its suppliers.

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