HMV to open 10,000 sq ft store in St Johns Liverpool

The news comes less than two weeks after the music and film retailer closed its smaller Liverpool One store.

HMV had been downsizing over the years, moving from a 21,000 sq ft store at Liverpool One to a 13,000 sq ft store in the same centre in 2018. Later, it moved into another unit that was 8,000 sq ft across two floors.

The 10,000 sq ft St Johns store is all over one floor. Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV, said it would be “even bigger and better”.

Due to open on 20 July, HMV will take up residence at the old New Look storefront on Williamson Square in the city centre. Neighbours include JD Sports, Matalan and the Liverpool FC store.

Halliday said the brand was excited to open its new store on the heels of its 100^th birthday.

“There has been an HMV in Liverpool for many decades, and we have always enjoyed sharing our enthusiasm for music, film and popular culture with the city’s community,” he said.

Neil Ashcroft, centre manager at St Johns, said that the “arrival of HMV in the centre is a real cause for celebration”.

Gary Crompton of Barker Proudlove secured the deal for St Johns. HMV represented itself.

“HMV is one of the iconic names in high street retail and will further enhance the retail offer in St Johns which will appeal across all generations,” Crompton said.

St Johns has more than 100 retailers, including six new stores that opened in April: Boom Battle Bar, American Candy Empire, VR Liverpool, Citrus Cosmetics, Shout, and Be Regal. Other new tenants include Fat Lolly Sams, Miskyra Curve and Delhi Stitches.

HMV went into administration in 2018 for the second time in six years, placing more than 2,000 jobs at risk but stating that its 125 remaining UK stores would stay open. It was later bought out of administration by Canadian music retailer Sunrise Records and its owner Doug Putman, in February 2019.