Four HMV stores reopening in September will honour valid gift vouchers

The four Irish HMV stores set to reopen in the coming weeks will honour valid vouchers and gift cards, including those purchased before the entertainment retailer closed stores earlier this year.

The reopened HMV outlets are located in Liffey Valley, Dundrum, the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick and its key store on Henry Street, Dublin.

Restructuring specialist Hilco has bought some of HMV's assets from administration in April after 16 stores closed across Ireland in February. Representatives from the National Consumer Agency (NCA) had been in discussions with the HMV's Receivers and are set to meet Hilco this week.

Chief executive of the NCA, Karen O’Leary said the agency welcomes Hilco’s decision.

“The company is acting honourably and is treating consumers very fairly in accepting vouchers and gift cards issued by the previous owners of HMV,” she said.

“It is very difficult to get a gift voucher honoured if a store closes down, as a claim has to be registered with the liquidator and any claim will only be considered after all other creditors have been paid, such as banks the shop’s staff. It is for this reason that we encourage consumers with gift vouchers for an individual retailer to use them as quickly as possible.”

Last week chief executive of Hilco Capital Paul McGowan said he was thrilled to bring HMV back to Ireland.

“The demand from consumers has been very strong since we acquired the business from the Receivers so it is gratifying to be able to get four stores up and running in such a short period of time,” he said.

“We will also be launching our new digital product in Ireland later in the year and have more exciting developments being announced in coming weeks.”

The Henry Street store will open on Friday 6, September, with all other branches opening the following week.