HMV Ireland goes into receivership

Receivers have been appointed to HMV (Ireland) Ltd, putting the jobs of the chain’s 300 employees at risk. 

The announcement came after the retailer initially said it was temporarily closing its 16 outlets in Ireland.

A statement this afternoon said Deloitte Ireland partner David Carson has been appointed receiver following a request from the directors of the company to the banks.

HMV’s Irish shops will now remain closed until Mr Carson completes an assessment of the viability of the company and its cost structure, “including property occupational costs.”

The statement said all efforts will be made by the receiver to secure a purchaser for the shops.

The company, which employs some 4,000 people in Ireland and Britain, announced yesterday that it was entering into administration in the UK after being refused a request by suppliers for a £300 million lifeline.

HMV shops in Ireland continued to trade yesterday but customers with vouchers and gift cards were turned away.

It emerged this morning that vouchers purchased at the music and games retailer should have been honoured as the Irish branch of the UK multiple was not in receivership at the time.

In a statement this morning, the National Consumer Agency (NCA) said it has established that HMV in the Republic of Ireland is a separate corporate entity to the UK operation and was not under administration or examinership when it opened its doors yesterday.