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Aylesbury’s HMV store will be replaced by fashion retailer H&M
THE manager of Friars Square Shopping Centre in Aylesbury has confirmed that when HMV closes later this month, the unit will form part of the new H&M store.
The UK home entertainment chain, which has been in the town since 1993, has announced it will be closing it Friars Square store on February 11 as part of a country-wide initiative to shut its less viable shops.
Manager of Friars Square Shopping Centre, Andy Margieson, said that the news was a sign of the current economic climate.
“We have been aware of the challenges HMV has been facing for some time and are extremely sorry to be losing such a well known and much loved brand from Friars Square,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this reflects the changes taking place in high streets across the UK and the current economic conditions.
“In anticipation of these changes, we have taken a proactive approach and we have agreed a new letting to international fashion brand, H&M, which will occupy the existing HMV store plus some adjoining space.
“We believe these changes will enhance the shopping centre and maintain Aylesbury’s attractiveness as a shopping destination.
“HMV will vacate their store in February. Work will then begin on preparing the enlarged store for the new H&M which we anticipate will be ready to open in the autumn.
“The management team is working hard to improve Friars Square for all our customers and we will be providing updates to visitors about the progress of our plans over the coming months.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
RedKite
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 06:53 PMI don't necessarily disagree with the stuartea#11 comment as far as moves to online shopping....but as for us "all knowing" H&M becoming one of Aylesbury's busiest shops...dream on. On what basis do you make such a ludicrous statement ? I certainly don't know that at all. Clothing can be bought on line as easy as music !!!!! This H&M facility will be a cheap storage for a hub operation engaged in distribution and online sales itself. It will certainly not survive on walk-in sales....those business models have certainly moved on - just like HMV perhaps. FMCG sales have moved on themselves. The local populace are just being sold out by AVDC.
stuartea
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 05:33 PMHMVs closure isn't any surprise as that business model has moved online. So, despite the negativity, we all know H&M will become one of if not the busiest shop in Aylesbury.
amused mum
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:25 PM@ Chelsealyn please see comment 2
Chelsealyn
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:05 PMWhy have those people in the cloisters got to move out then . I though H & M were moving in there. Aylesbury is becoming a non existent place to shop.
sebo
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:48 PMHeard today that Game is in a dire financial mess - but don't worry H&M can take that unit on as well when it closes. I have never heard such drivel as A. Margieson's comments and he is just trying to justify an awful decision that has been made. Quite how this will 'enhance the shopping centre and maintain Aylesbury’s attractiveness as a shopping destination' leaves me cold. But keep trolling this garbage out and perhaps enough people may eventually believe it.
RedKite
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 08:47 PMPerhaps the hundreds of employees from Arla will shop in H&M...if they're not caught up in the traffic in and around Aylesbury......what a disaster this place is becoming. Industrial destruction in the countryside and commercial corrosion in the town centre........still the AVDC town councillors are alright so we can all sleep at night.
RGM
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 05:23 PMPaul, that is very cynical of you. I'm sure there are plenty of charities that haven't got a shop in Aylesbury that want to pedal someone elses cast offs that would love that shop too.
amused mum
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 01:21 PMThis place is gonna become a ghost town pretty soon, no reason to come to Aylesbury.
Paul Kersey
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 01:19 PMJakemans closing? Hooray! That makes room for another betting shop.
JR
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 01:09 PMRumour has it that Jakemans in Bourbon St is also closing. :(
amused mum
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 12:12 PMThe Cloisters is going to be used as storage !
ColinJones
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 11:56 AMGiven that H&M will have increased space in both the former La Senza and HMV units, should the closure of the Cloisters now be reconsidered?
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