HMV to open giant store in Oxford Street

HMV is aiming to strengthen its position in London’s West End by moving from the smaller of its two Oxford Street stores to a site opposite which is double the size.

Greig and Stephenson is carrying out work on the frontage, signage and interiors of the 2790sqm outlet, which opens next May.

An HMV spokesman says the existing store, HMV’s original site, “simply isn’t big enough”.

He adds, “The new shop design will be part of an evolutionary process, taking advantage of new technology, but maintaining a link with the past.”

Greig and Stephenson director Ken Greig says the three-storey site will be “a bit different. Each floor is split into two big rooms. The ground floor will have a campaign area of latest offers and a chart wall in the front section, with a bridge linking it to the back section of A-Z artists.”

Additional floors will include classical, jazz and minority music sections, while the basement will house singles, videos, and interactive screens to play games.

The chain’s 5110sqm flagship store is situated further east along Oxford Street.