It's been a few years since we've seen a new hmv shop open in Ireland - over a decade, in fact.
While the music retailer was one of the most dominant on the scene at one point, the advent of streaming changed how people consumed their music, films and TV - leaving less of a desire for physical product, and the final Irish store closed in 2016.
However, it seems that there is still a demand as hmv are set to open a new store on Dublin's Henry Street by mid-July 2023.
The premises at 18 Henry Street - which was previously the home of hmv - will once again swing open its doors to customers, with three floors of the latest music, music technology and pop culture merchandise available to customers.
While there are still 120 hmv stores across the UK, the Dublin store will be its first Irish flagship store opened under the brand's new manager, Doug Putman’s Sunrise Records. Canadian businessman Putnam took over the business in 2019 and "has evolved its concept to centre on a fan and community-orientated offer", according to the press release.
Putnam said: "Our return to Ireland marks the culmination of the team’s hard work having established a new hmv shopping experience across the UK. We are now in a position to expand that concept into Europe.
“While fans will be able to get their hands on the latest and limited release vinyl and the hottest audio technology, truly indulging their love of music, they will also be able to express their passion for pop culture with ranges that can’t be found anywhere else in Dublin under one roof.
"We want Henry Street to become a home for a new community of fans to come together. What’s more, we hope that once we’ve got our feet back under the table in Ireland, further hmv shop openings will follow."
The Henry Street store will stock over 5,000 different vinyl albums, 5,500 different CDs, 3,000 pop culture products and 1,000 different t-shirt designs.
You can also expect a few instore performances and album signings from some big names, as well as sets by some Irish talent via their Live&Local programme.
