HMV Lancaster Store Closure After Decades: Final Day, Lease Issues, and What’s Next

Key Facts:

• Final Day of Trading: 10 August 2025
  • Reason: Lease not renewed due to redevelopment plans by landlord (Frasers Group)
  • Community Reaction: Disappointment, nostalgia, and concern over city centre changes
  • Location: St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster City Centre

Residents and local shoppers now await news of what’s next, and whether HMV might eventually return to the city it called home for more than two decades.

Why Did the HMV Lancaster Store Close After More Than 25 Years?

The news of the HMV Lancaster store closure struck a nostalgic chord with many of us who’ve browsed its aisles over the past two decades. The music and entertainment retailer had been a cornerstone of the city’s retail landscape, operating in Lancaster for over 25 years, first in Marketgate and later moving to St Nicholas Arcades.

So why did it close?

According to HMV, the closure was not a business decision, but rather a lease issue. The landlord of the property, Frasers Group, opted not to renew the lease, as part of broader redevelopment plans for the shopping centre.

“We had every intention of continuing to serve the community,” an HMV spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, the redevelopment didn’t allow us to stay in our current location.”

Frasers Group, which also owns Sports Direct, has increasingly reshaped retail centres they own by replacing existing tenants with their own brands.

When Was the Final Day of Trading for HMV in Lancaster?

The store officially closed its doors on 10 August 2025, after operating in Lancaster for more than two decades. It originally opened in the late 1990s in Marketgate before relocating to the more central and high-footfall St Nicholas Arcades.

For those who grew up with music from the shelves of HMV, the final days felt more like a farewell than a clearance sale. Posters lined the windows thanking customers. Inside, the shelves slowly emptied, and staff bid goodbye to regulars who had become friends.

Timeline of HMV in Lancaster

“It’s more than a shop – it’s part of our city’s soul,” said Sarah Thompson, a long-time customer. “I’ve been buying music here since my teens.”

What Are the Main Reasons Behind the Landlord Not Renewing the Lease?

The non-renewal of HMV’s lease wasn’t personal, it was strategic.

Frasers Group, having acquired St Nicholas Arcades in 2024, is actively reshaping its retail property to accommodate its own portfolio brands. This consolidation reduces reliance on third-party tenants and streamlines brand control.

From a business standpoint, it’s a powerful move. From a community perspective, however, it removes long-standing brands with deep local connections.

“Landlords are increasingly looking at their assets and asking: How can we make this more profitable?” shared Mark Dean, a retail analyst. “Owning both the shop and the tenant brand is where the margins are.”

This trend is being seen across the UK, legacy brands are being edged out not because they’re failing, but because they no longer fit into the landlord’s ecosystem.

Who Is Replacing HMV in St Nicholas Arcades?

HMV’s unit at St Nicholas Arcades won’t be vacant for long. Taking its place is a new Sports Direct megastore, which will combine the space previously occupied by HMV and Select Fashion, which closed in October 2025.

About the New Sports Direct Store

The opening forms part of Frasers Group’s retail ecosystem strategy, where multiple brand experiences are integrated under one roof.

How Has the HMV Lancaster Closure Affected Local Shoppers and the Community?

There’s no doubt the closure of HMV hit a sentimental nerve across Lancaster. For many, HMV wasn’t just a shop, it was a Saturday ritual, a music discovery hub, and a place to connect with pop culture.

The reaction on social media was swift and emotional:

“Another piece of the high street gone,” tweeted local DJ Rachel L. “So many good memories flipping through CDs here.”

Impact on community:

• Loss of physical access to music and entertainment for non-digital users
• Fewer youth engagement spaces
• Emotional disconnect for loyal customers

Emotional Impact Summary:

Is HMV Planning a Return to Lancaster in a New Location?

Yes, and that’s good news. Despite closing its St Nicholas Arcades branch, HMV has made it clear that they have “no intention to stop serving our loyal customers in Lancaster.” The company is actively searching for a new retail space.

They have even issued a call to local landlords and agents to come forward with suggestions for suitable premises.

“We are open to opportunities and are eager to re-establish a presence in Lancaster as soon as possible,” said an HMV spokesperson.

Nearby stores in Blackpool and Preston remain open, but HMV acknowledges the importance of maintaining a local presence for Lancaster residents.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Retail in Lancaster?

The closure of a flagship retailer like HMV highlights deeper challenges facing Lancaster’s retail sector and the UK high street as a whole. It’s not an isolated incident but part of a broader shift in how town centres are evolving.

With Select Fashion also closing and several large units now taken over by Frasers Group-owned brands, space for independent and long-established retailers is shrinking. Rising rents and redevelopment priorities are making it harder for smaller businesses to compete.

As landlords increasingly favour large, vertically integrated retail groups, variety on the high street risks declining. Over time, this could reduce Lancaster’s local character and limit choice for shoppers, changing how the city centre feels and functions.

How Does This Fit into the Larger Trend of UK High Street Store Closures?

The HMV Lancaster store closure is not an isolated case. Across the UK, high streets are experiencing a systemic transformation. Rising rents, the digital retail boom, and strategic redevelopments have made it difficult for many legacy retailers to survive in traditional formats.

Earlier in 2025, HMV also shuttered its store in Oxford, again due to redevelopment inside the Clarendon Centre. In both cases, HMV wasn’t failing, they were outmanoeuvred by landlord priorities.

“This is a national trend,” said Emily Morris, a retail researcher. “We’re witnessing the evolution of the high street into brand ecosystems controlled by property groups.”

For entertainment-focused retailers like HMV, this means embracing flexibility, including relocations, pop-ups, or mixed-format stores, to survive and adapt.

Table: Before and After – Lancaster Shopping Centre Retail Shift

As part of the ongoing redevelopment at St Nicholas Arcades, the tenant landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Longstanding tenants such as HMV and Select Fashion have exited, making way for brands owned by the property’s new owner, Frasers Group.

The table below illustrates the before-and-after status of key retail units in the centre:

This consolidation reflects Frasers Group’s vertical integration strategy, where they replace third-party tenants with their own brands, creating retail ecosystems that maximise profitability and brand synergy under a single ownership.

Conclusion

The closure of HMV in Lancaster was not due to irrelevance or failure. It was the result of modern retail dynamics, driven by landlords’ pursuit of profit maximisation and brand consolidation.

But while this chapter may have ended, HMV’s story in Lancaster is not over.

The company has signalled its intent to return, and the community has shown its support. Whether HMV finds a new physical home in the city or evolves into a hybrid retail model, one thing is clear: its connection to Lancaster runs deep.

For now, we wait, remembering the sounds, the shelves, and the Saturdays spent there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the first time HMV has closed a store due to redevelopment?

No, HMV also closed its Oxford store due to major redevelopment of the Clarendon Centre, with plans to relocate locally, just like in Lancaster.

Does Frasers Group own both the shopping centre and Sports Direct?

Yes, Frasers Group owns St Nicholas Arcades and also operates Sports Direct, USC, and GAME, giving them control over both the property and retail replacements.

Was the HMV Lancaster closure sudden or planned?

The closure was announced in advance, with HMV confirming the lease non-renewal and final trading date, giving time for transition and customer notice.

Are there still entertainment retailers operating in Lancaster city centre?

With HMV gone, Lancaster has fewer dedicated entertainment retailers, though some independent shops and chain stores still carry limited media selections.

What other brands are part of the Frasers Group likely to appear in Lancaster?

Frasers Group may introduce USC, GAME, or even Flannels, as seen in other redeveloped centres where they consolidate their portfolio brands.

How large is the new Sports Direct opening in St Nicholas Arcades?

The new store will span approximately 7,000 sq ft, occupying the combined space of the former HMV and Select Fashion stores.

Can customers still shop online with HMV if there’s no local store?

Yes, HMV continues to offer its full catalogue online, and local customers can order music, films, merchandise, and more via hmv.com.