At least four HMV stores employing a total of 100 staff will be reopened in Ireland by the end of the summer, restructuring specialist Hilco has confirmed.
A new store will open in Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin, while existing premises on Henry Street, in the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, and Limerick’s Crescent Shopping Centre will be reopened.
Excel Recruitment has been appointed to recruit 100 employees for the four stores, with full-time and part-time positions available for sales assistants, supervisors and managers.
Excel managing director Barry Whelan said they were “looking for people who are passionate about music, film or gaming and can deliver the highest class in customer service”.
He said the company had reached out to former HMV staff through social media in an effort to attract applications, and interest so far had been “strong”.
“They are all very keen to come back,” he said.
The 16 HMV stores in the Republic closed in February and 300 staff were made redundant after the company’s receiver Deloitte said the business was not viable due to “competition from web-based retailers and digital downloads”, compounded by “high levels of rent”.
Under a deal with Deloitte in April, Hilco bought 141 HMV stores in the UK in a deal worth an estimated £50 million (€59 million).
Hilco is still in negotiations with landlords with a view to re-establishing further HMV outlets in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.
It is understood the company are keen to have a presence on Grafton Street, but it looks unlikely they will be able to secure the premises where the former flagship store was located at number 65/66, which is currently on the market for €1 million per year.
