HMV chooses Birmingham for biggest store to date
Entertainment retailer HMV has chosen Birmingham for the opening of its biggest store to date.
The company said the move will mark the next step in its revival following its sale earlier this year to Canadian business Sunrise Records & Entertainment.
Due to launch on 11 October, the 25,000 square foot HMV Vault is situated in the city’s Dale End in a former IKEA warehouse.
The store has been created to offer much more than retail and features a custom-designed in-store performance space where both internationally-renowned and up-and-coming artists will perform.
Doug Putman, chief executive of Sunrise Records, said: “Retail offers two things a purely digital experience of music simply can’t – the opportunity to experience the biggest acts live in our stores and our ability to offer a platform to new artists in the communities where we operate, as well as opportunities for fans to come together and share their passion for music and film with our dedicated staff.
“The HMV Vault has been built with the needs of the modern music and film fan at its heart with a permanent live performance space and an unparalleled range catering to the full breadth of our customers’ tastes.”
HMV said the store will offer every film available on 4K UHD including 20,000 Blu-ray and over 40,000 DVD titles. It will also stock 7,000 music-related books, music-inspired fashion and merchandise, and the latest range of music tech including turntables and headphones. In addition, it will sell over 100,000 LPs and CDs across a wide range of genres.
The store opening will be celebrated with a performance by Liam Payne. This will be followed by sets over the opening weekend by James Arthur, The Murder Capital and a range of local bands.
Putman added: “I want our stores to be at the heart of a community of music and film fans and a place where they can not only satisfy their passion, they can also meet each other and discover new artists as well as see some of the biggest names in the business perform. The HMV Vault will become the home of music in Birmingham so I can’t wait to welcome the city’s fans through our doors.”
