Delight as HMV reopens at Merry Hill shopping centre

It was business as usual at the store in the intu shopping centre, in Brierley Hill, after the sudden closure on February 5.

The Merry Hill branch was one of 27 stores to close around the country, including the flagship store on London's Oxford Street.

Assistant manager at the Merry Hill store, Andrea Pritchard, said staff were ecstatic to be back working at the store.

She said: "We have a great team here at the Merry Hill store and they were all very keen to be back here as soon as possible. Everyone is absolutely ecstatic to be back at work.

"It is a great opportunity for the store to start afresh and it has been great to see our regular customers back.

"We closed on February 5, so it has only been a few weeks – but it has felt a lot longer. When the company buy out happened that's when we were told that they were accepting some stores and closing others.

"We did not know the situation so it is a massive bonus for us to be one of the few that has reopened.

"We have had really positive feedback from customers saying how happy they are to see us back open again. The reopening today has been all about engaging with our customers."

And customers at the centre were also delighted to see the music giant back open and running.

One shopper said: "It is absolutely great news. I was gutted when it shut down as it was my local store."

Jason Moss, from Astwood Bank in Worcestershire, said: "We regularly shop in HMV and it is really nice to see it back open again. We were coming here every couple of weeks.

"It was a surprise the last few weeks when it was closed. We come to shop for DVDs mainly and a bit of music."

Kerry Merritt, who lives in Sutton Coldfield, said: "I am glad it is back open. We travel to come here to this store. This or the Bullring store would be our nearest, but we would come to this one as it offers free parking.

"I just like to browse and have a look – you can see the cover an album you don't know much about and think oh I'll buy that and have a listen. I prefer coming to HMV than online shopping – I'm a bit old school."

Brierley Hill resident Mike Baker said: "I am over the moon to see HMV back open again. I am often visiting to have a look at all the DVDs and Blu-Ray's – you could always pick up a bargain.

"I am happy for the staff too, it's great."

Eleanor Michaels said: "I saw on social media it had re-opened this morning, so I thought I would make a trip here. It has always been a great store with such a variety of music, films, games, books and clothing.

"I am so pleased it is back open."

A spokesman for HMV said: "We are very pleased to confirm that HMV Merry Hill is scheduled to re-open today.

"This is the best outcome for our staff and customers and we are delighted to share the good news with all those who have been so supportive over the past weeks.

"There have been a great many messages of support and goodwill received along with calls for stores to re-open, and this support cannot be underestimated. It is very satisfying to be able to once again open our doors and welcome all of our loyal customers back to HMV Merry Hill.

"Customers can expect our team to be hard at work re-stocking our shelves and putting together the best offers that deliver a great shopping experience for anyone looking to pick up the latest titles or browse our great range of music, films and merchandise and collectables."

HMV managing director Neil Taylor added: "I am extremely proud of our staff who are the most knowledgeable and committed people you will meet, and so it is extremely gratifying to see this store open again, I greatly appreciate the support of all our customers and the landlord which made re-opening this store possible".