Music store Fopp at Gloucester Green in Oxford has closed, despite a rescue package for HMV.

Canadian entrepreneur Doug Putman has bought the HMV chain, which features Fopp, out of administration, saving 100 stores including a number of Fopp branches.

But Fopp in Oxford is to go, together with Fopp branches in Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester.

A 'closed' sign was on the door today and administrators KPMG has confirmed it is one of 27 shops which will go.

Mr Putman, the owner of Canadian retailer Sunrise Records is taking over 100 HMV stores, safeguarding 1,500 jobs after the chain collapsed into administration just after Christmas, blaming tough high street conditions and competition from streaming sites including Netflix.

Oxford Mail:

Under the deal, 27 of HMV’s stores will close immediately with the loss of 455 jobs. A further 122 warehouse jobs will be lost in the weeks to come.

Customers turning up at Fopp in Gloucester Green were disappointed to see it closed.

John Woodley, 82, from Abingdon, was there to buy DVDs.

He said: "I feel sorry for the staff who are always very friendly.

"Sometimes I go to Foyles in London but it's a lot further to go.

"When I heard the announcement saying HMV was being saved I thought it would be good news but sadly that's not the case here in Oxford."

In a statement announcing the deal, Mr Putman said: “We are delighted to acquire the most iconic music and entertainment business in the UK and add nearly 1,500 employees to our growing team.

“We know the physical media business is here to stay and we greatly appreciate all the support from the suppliers, landlords, employees and most importantly our customers.”

Oxford Mail:

Fopp returned to Gloucester Green in the summer of 2016 after an eight-year hiatus and its vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, T-shirts and video games have attracted a loyal following.

In 2013 HMV was bought out of administration by Hilco Capital and the chain made a comeback.Oxford Mail:

Mr Putman has seen off a rival bid from Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley.

A spokeswoman for KPMG said: "The joint administrators of HMV have confirmed the sale of the businesses and assets to Sunrise Records & Entertainment Limited, whose shareholder is Doug Putman, owner of Sunrise Records in Canada.

"Sunrise Records & Entertainment Limited will acquire 100 stores across the UK, and 1,487 store and head office employees will transfer as part of the transaction. The stores will continue to trade as HMV, with four stores continuing to trade as Fopp.

"The administrators will retain a further 122 employees at warehouse functions to assist them in winding down operations.

"Unfortunately, 27 stores have not been acquired, and will be closed with immediate effect, resulting in 455 redundancies."

Oxford Mail:

Will Wright, Neil Gostelow and David Pike from KPMG’s Restructuring practice were appointed joint administrators on December 28 2018.

Mr Wright, partner at KPMG and joint administrator said: “We are pleased to confirm this sale which, after a complex process, secures the continued trading of the majority of the business. Our immediate concern is now to support those employees that have unfortunately been made redundant.”

Blackwell's music shop in Broad Street is now the only city centre store remaining selling a selection of new music, on vinyl and CDs.