Since the entry into administration of Zavvi on 24 December 2008, HMV has been in discussions with the Administrators concerning the potential acquisition of a number of Zavvi stores, primarily in locations where HMV does not currently have a store.

"As a result, HMV has agreed to acquire 14 Zavvi stores, consisting of 5 stores in Ireland (subject to regulatory approval by the Competition authorities) and a further 9 stores in the UK," a spokesperson confirmed.

HMV are now working hard to re-brand the sites and to put their own operational systems in place as soon as possible, so that, subject to the necessary approvals from the Competition Authority, the stores can fully trade under the HMV banner in the very near future.

HMV MD Simon Fox adds: “We’re really looking forward to extending our specialist offer in Ireland, and to getting people closer to the music, films and games they love. This move would enable us to maintain consumer choice for home entertainment products in these important locations and, crucially, will help preserve over 100 jobs that could well have been lost."

HMV has taken over the following sites:

IRELAND (subject to regulatory approval)
DUBLIN, DUNDRUM – Sandyford Road, Dundrum, Dublin 16
DUBLIN, LIFFEY VALLEY SHOPPING CENTRE – Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
DUNDALK – The Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk, Co. Louth
LIMERICK – The Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick
NEWBRIDGE – Unit 45B, Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge

UNITED KINGDOM
BOURNEMOUTH – Unit J, West Mall, Castle Point, Bournemouth BH8 9UY
CREWE – 64-67 Market Street, Crewe, CW1 2EY
GLASGOW FORT – 200 Provan Walk, Glasgow G34 9DL
GLASGOW SILVERBURN – Unit B7, Silverburn Centre, 763 Barrhead Rd, Glasgow G53 6AG
PETERBOROUGH – Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NH
PLYMOUTH – Drake Circus Shopping Centre, 1 Charles Street, Plymouth PL1 1EA
SALISBURY – 23-30 Old George Mall, Salisbury SP1 2AF
SOUTHEND – 6-24 Victoria Plaza, Southend SS1 1SJ
TEESIDE – Teesside Shopping Centre, Stockton TS17 7BW

HMV currently has 9 stores in the Republic of Ireland: Cork, Drogheda, Dublin Grafton Street, Dublin Henry Street, Dublin Blanchardstown, Dublin Swords, Dublin Tallaght, Galway and Limerick. The additional 5 stores that were formerly Zavvis will raise its total to 14.

HMV also has 10 stores in Northern Ireland, including in Belfast, Derry and Newry.