'It’ll be really sad to see it go' say customers of HMV (From Haringey Independent)

'It’ll be really sad to see it go' say customers of Wood Green HMV

1:35pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Customers say they will be sad to see music shop HMV leave the high street after the company was put into administration.

Up to 12 staff at the branch in High Road, Wood Green, could lose their jobs as administrator Deloitte seeks a buyer for the company, which has 239 stores in the UK and Ireland.

The store in the Mall Shopping Centre remains open and staff at the shop declined to comment about the possible closure.

George Beach, 76, of Stirling Road, Wood Green, who buys all his music at the shop said: “It’s just awful for the high street. There is nowhere else to go to get your music.

“It’s nice to talk to people about what you’re buying. The staff here are so helpful and I feel for them. People want to browse through music and films and it’s just not the same online.”

Aaron Bouleng, 31, also a regular customer, said: “When I first heard I was dismayed. HMV is such an icon of the high street. It’ll be really sad to see it go.

“I like going into record shops and getting music but now I’m going to have to go online to get my stuff.”

Ahmid Hasan 57, of Wood Green, said: “It’s just a sad state of affairs.

“When you think about all the big chains which have gone now like Jessops and Comet, it just shows how bad it is for the economy and shopping streets.”

HMV first opened in 1921 in Oxford Street, London, and in recent years has struggled with competition from online retailers.