Popular Manchester record shop reopens after deal is struck

A popular record store in Manchester city centre has reopened three months after it was forced to close.

Fopp, in Brown Street, closed when HMV was bought out of administration by Canadian firm Sunrise Records.

As part of the deal, which was announced in February, hundreds of shops were saved. However, 27 stores were closed after they were deemed unprofitable.

This weekend the store was able to re-open after the owners of the company managed to secure a new lease.

A spokesman for HMV said the retailer was very disappointed the shop closed in February and has worked to get the doors back open again.

The spokesman said: “It is a very important store for people in the city. It is an iconic record store.

“It was re-opened again on Sunday following negotiations and arrangements.

“It was the best outcome for everybody, we are very pleased to be trading again and in the centre of Manchester.

“It is a great location. Priority now is to re-stock shelves and get everything back up and running.”

Russ Withey, manager of Fopp in Carlisle, is managing the store this week and the former assistant manager, Chris Green, is set to become the full-time manager.