End of era as HMV closes (From The Bolton News)

End of era as HMV closes

7:20am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Local

IT is the end of an era after the shutters came down at Bolton’s HMV store for the final time.

The music and DVD retailer, famed for its Nipper the Dog logo, closed at 5.30pm last night after its final day of trade. Ten staff with between three and 10 years’ service, have lost their jobs.

Bolton’s HMV was one of 37 extra stores added to a list of shops to be closed.

Overall 103 HMV shops are closing with the loss of 1,500 jobs.

Yesterday Bolton shoppers made a last visit to the town centre store, which had been trading since the mid-1980s.

But it was a shadow of the fully-stocked store when it was trading in its heyday. The shop’s back section was almost empty of stock while the front was selling the remaining CDs, DVDs, games, accessories and even shop fittings.

A closing down sale has been running for the past few weeks.

Many older shoppers said HMV evoked fond memories of buying pop and rock singles and albums over the years.

Alan Bromley, aged 51, of Breightmet, said: “It’s sad that HMV is closing. I’ve been coming here for years since I was young. I regularly visited HMV and also the old Co-op in Bridge Street, which also sold records. I used to buy albums and cassettes. The first record I ever bought was everlasting Love by Love Affair. I also used to like ELO and, later on, Erasure.

“I have two daughters and bought things for them in recent years, such as DVDs, iPods and games. I don’t know where I’ll go now for music. Online shopping and supermarkets seems to be killing the high street. The supermarkets might sell CDs for £1 cheaper so people will go there instead, especially in this economic climate. It’s a shame.”

Linda Bromley, aged 50, also from Breightmet, bought a DVD of the film Up for her family.

She said: “I’ve shopped at HMV for years, looking at the latest singles and albums. Most of the music I’ve bought was from HMV, ever since I was young. I used to love bands like Showaddywaddy.

There’s still an HMV in Bury and others in Manchester but that’s quite a long way to go.”

Marie Armour, aged 27, from Heaton, had bought a Vaccines CD.

She said: “I didn’t realise HMV was closing in Bolton until I saw it in The Bolton News. I wanted to come because it is the final day.

I’m sad about it. It feels like the end of an era.

“I used to buy singles and tapes here when I was a teenager. I loved bands like Boyzone and Five — and I still quite like them now. The first album I bought was Parachutes by Coldplay, which I also still listen to. Music means a lot to people but it’s very easy to shop online now. I think people have taken high street shops for granted.”

Store manager Paul McIver said staff were unable to comment about the closure but admitted it was a sad day for them.

They will remain in the shop on Friday and Saturday, putting remaining stock into boxes so it can be transferred.

As part of administrator Deloitte’s attempt to recoup as much money as possible from each closing store, the shop has also been selling its unwanted fixtures and fittings, stockroom shelves, staffroom furniture, kitchen equipment and a labelling machine.

Even a kettle was up for sale at £5.

Shifting trends, new technology and the recession have all been blamed for HMV’s problems.

Other stores due to close include Manchester’s 90 Market Street site although the Trafford Centre shop is staying open. Other smaller shops in Rochdale, Ashton, Wigan, Blackburn, Warrington, St Helens and Birkenhead are also closing.