HMV staff tweet their own ‘execution’

Workers tweeted live about redundancies being made across HMV’s offices and distribution centres.

One member of staff tweeted: “We’re tweeting live from HR where we’re all being fired! Exciting!!”

“There are over 60 of us being fired at once! Mass execution, of loyal employees who love the brand.”

The job cuts were later confirmed by administrators Deloitte, but they said retail jobs remained unaffected and all stores continue to trade.

HMV regained control of its Twitter account and deleted all rogue tweets.

Most of the job cuts were made at HMV’s office in Eastcastle Street, London, with others made in its Marlow head office, a site in Solihull and distribution centres in Canning Town, London, and Birmingham.

HMV went into administration earlier this month, putting more than 4,120 jobs and 223 stores at risk.

Nick Edwards, joint administrator, said the job cuts were a “necessary step in restructuring the business to enhance the prospects of securing its future as a going concern”.

Hopes of a rescue deal for HMV have been raised after restructuring firm Hilco - the group behind HMV Canada - bought the company’s debt last week.

It is thought that Hilco was planning to begin negotiations this week with suppliers and HMV’s landlords as part of a plan to salvage the group.

Hilco reportedly wants to rescue about half of the stores in the UK as it looks to repeat the strategy that has seen it turn around HMV’s Canadian arm, which it bought in 2011.

Mr Edwards said: “We have been very pleased with the level of interest in the business as a going concern, whilst the response from customers has demonstrated the demand to see HMV remain on the high street.”

He added: “Equally, the support received from suppliers has been very positive and has enabled us to continue trading during the administration.”

Suppliers such as Universal, Warner and Sony are believed to be considering an extended credit deal that would allow HMV to buy CDs and DVDs in instalments over an extended period.

They are keen to see HMV survive, as the chain provides an alternative to online retailers and digital download sites.

Hilco is understood to have paid around £40 million for £120 million of HMV’s debt, giving it effective control of the business.

It is also in talks with the administrators of Jessops, the camera chain, in a move that has the potential for Jessops concessions to open in HMV stores.

Hilco UK, which owns the Denby pottery firm and is best known for its rescue of furnishings group Habitat, was founded out of a partnership between UK management and the US-based distressed retail and advisory firm Hilco Group.

The job cuts have been made at the following locations:

• Eastcastle Street, London - 78;

• Marlow, Buckinghamshire - 14;

• Canning Town, London - 24;

• Merlin Park, Birmingham - 59;

• Solihull, Birmingham - 11.