HMV Oxford Street - Closing Down Sale

[visualnickmos]

Sometimes even a biscuit if Roger's feeling flush

I'll be going there more than once at the end of February when I'll be in London for a couple of weeks - better save up me Euros!

(Last time someone nicked my cup tea, but I didn't like to complain: winkeye:)

[Vile Consort]

As a teenager I bought a lot of records from WH Smith's in Burnley. The lady who ran it was very knowledgeable about classical recordings. Later, I used to go to the Classical Record Shop in Leeds about twice a year and come out with a dozen LPs (later CD's). Unfortunately, that shut down many years ago.

I still have quite a number of scores (not to mention a considerable quantity of manuscript paper, now covered with my adolescent scribblings) purchased circa 1970 from - unbelievably - a stall on the indoor market at Burnley.

The last time I saw a shop with a large collection of CD's it was in Amsterdam - possibly on Nieuwendijk; is it still there?

[Stanfordian]

As a teenager I bought a lot of records from WH Smith's in Burnley. The lady who ran it was very knowledgeable about classical recordings. Later, I used to go to the Classical Record Shop in Leeds about twice a year and come out with a dozen LPs (later CD's). Unfortunately, that shut down many years ago.

I still have quite a number of scores (not to mention a considerable quantity of manuscript paper, now covered with my adolescent scribblings) purchased circa 1970 from - unbelievably - a stall on the indoor market at Burnley.

The last time I saw a shop with a large collection of CD's it was in Amsterdam - possibly on Nieuwendijk; is it still there?

Someone wrote a letter to a newspaper recently saying that a campaign should be started to save the local record shop. Nice sentiments but thirty years too late.

[Dave2002]

I was surprised to find an open and operating HMV shop in Dundee this week. It wasn't terribly interesting, but at least it was functional. I have a slight vested interest having bought shares in HMV hoping they would turn round. i don't think they are even listed now, so at some point I may have to declare a loss to HMRC.

[Ferretfancy]

I was surprised to find an open and operating HMV shop in Dundee this week. It wasn't terribly interesting, but at least it was functional. I have a slight vested interest having bought shares in HMV hoping they would turn round. i don't think they are even listed now, so at some point I may have to declare a loss to HMRC.

Dave

Since they were bought out by a Canadian firm they seem to be aiming more for online sales, with much smaller shops. It's a tragic irony that the Oxford Street shop has returned to the site where its history began, next door to Bond Street Station. The classical department is frankly pathetic, and I can't see myself shopping there again.
I'm sure that most of us on these boards like to browse for music, and come up with interesting discoveries. There is no longer any large shop left in London where I can do this.

[Gordon]

Winchester's HMV still there but full of video/DVD. V small classical section with usual stuff, nothing exciting!! There used to be several Record/CD shops in the city but now only this one. Otwhr towns nearby have v little and were never that good anyway. Salisbury was the best with Edward and Beryl at the Collector's Room. Haven't been that way for a while.

[Dave2002]

Dave

Since they were bought out by a Canadian firm they seem to be aiming more for online sales, with much smaller shops. It's a tragic irony that the Oxford Street shop has returned to the site where its history began, next door to Bond Street Station. The classical department is frankly pathetic, and I can't see myself shopping there again.
I'm sure that most of us on these boards like to browse for music, and come up with interesting discoveries. There is no longer any large shop left in London where I can do this.

The Dundee shop was in the mould of some of the smaller shops - lots of DVDS, pop "music" and T shirts, and a very small section of classical - mostly Naxos and CFM (EMI origin probably).
I had a tinge of excitement flicking the covers, but it died pretty soon as just about everything was standard stuff and very predictable.

Nevertheless I do hope the new owners of HMV can make it a success - whatever they decide to sell. Otherwise I'll be following the advice given here - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cgt/intro/losses.htm Maybe my holding has already disappeared - but I'm not sure - it appears from time to time, but with no value, on my statements.

[Serial_Apologist]

Dave

Since they were bought out by a Canadian firm they seem to be aiming more for online sales, with much smaller shops. It's a tragic irony that the Oxford Street shop has returned to the site where its history began, next door to Bond Street Station. The classical department is frankly pathetic, and I can't see myself shopping there again.
I'm sure that most of us on these boards like to browse for music, and come up with interesting discoveries. There is no longer any large shop left in London where I can do this.

It really does say something about what is becoming of London, once a world cultural trailblazer, that one has to leave our beloved capital to find decent record shops worth frequenting.

[Dave2002]

It really does say something about what is becoming of London, once a world cultural trailblazer, that one has to leave our beloved capital to find decent record shops worth frequenting.

Not really, I fear. The same is true in other cities and countries - as in Leipzig - where there are hardly any CD shops, and I was told that there are now very few in Germany. I suspect that the USA will also be the same now.

[mathias broucek]

In the last couple of weeks I've been into the Brighton branch and the one in Chichester.

I thought in each case the selection was pretty respectable given the size of store and the prices of single discs and twofers were decent (boxes were expensive). I came out with the Emersons doing Art of the Fugue and Rifkin doing 6 Bach Cantatas (Decca Duo). Each was £7 or £8 IIRC which is more than reasonable (prices on Amazon Marketplace are smilar with postage).

[gurnemanz]

Not really, I fear. The same is true in other cities and countries - as in Leipzig - where there are hardly any CD shops, and I was told that there are now very few in Germany. I suspect that the USA will also be the same now.

I can remember quite a good classical CD shop in Leipzig. It seems to be closed but the website says "vorübergehend" (temporarily). The Dresden branch seems to still be going strong.

In Leipzig, the famous, long-established music shop Oelsner is still there, mainly selling scores, books and instruments but also CDs.

I never really went to HMV Oxford Street but used to frequent Farringdon Records - now long defunct.

Dave, a blast from the past

[Dave2002]

In the last couple of weeks I've been into the Brighton branch and the one in Chichester.

I came out with the Emersons doing Art of the Fugue and Rifkin doing 6 Bach Cantatas (Decca Duo). Each was £7 or £8 IIRC which is more than reasonable (prices on Amazon Marketplace are smilar with postage).

Brighton and Chichester are clearly selling more up-market and more esoteric stuff. Good to hear.

There is still an HMV website, though whether it is really any use is still open to question. There are some "classical" CDs listed here - https://www.hmvdigital.com/tags/classical

[Alison]

The Chelmsford HMV always seems busy and the classical section has improved of late.

Several new releases on my shopping list have been acquired there. It's always good to bring home a couple of discs along with other high street shopping!

[CallMePaul]

Just had a look at the website - not much choice and some wacky ideas - in the right mood I can enjoy Pat Metheney (especially without Lyle Mays) but I've never heard him described as a "classical" artist before!
The Manchester branch recently relocated from the big shop in Market St to smaller premises in the Arndale Centre aka the world's largest public lavatory, but the classical section has remained reasonably well-stocked, albeit in a much smaller space. There is also Forsyth's, where you can buy a grand piano with your favourite CD's, so Manchester still has 2 decent classical retailers. Leeds and Liverpool, which I also visit regularly, only have HMV and the classical selection in both these branches is pitiful given that both cities have lively classical music scenes.

[Barbirollians]

Sheffield's is pretty small and not very good either but I was so surprised to come across the Dutton recording of the Braunfels Piano Concerto No2 discussed on CD Review recently I thought buying it was a deserved pat on the back for them for having such esoteric repertoire amongst the pile of Katherine Jenkins, Andre Rieu and Andrea Bocelli pile of tosh.