HMV’s arrival in Guernsey has been as much anticipated by the company as by islanders. ‘The opening is big for HMV,’ said PR events manager Trish Saunders.

‘We’re really looking forward to it. We’ve been wanting to come to the island for some time now.’

She said the 4,300sq. ft store was bigger than an average UK outlet and will have a total of six tills.

‘We will cover the full range – all of the CD departments, such as classical, country, pop, rock and chart, and there will also be an extensive DVD section, games consoles, books and technology such as MP3 players.’

The store will also offer good access for the disabled, with widened aisles and lowered counters.

Ms Saunders added that between 12 and 15 staff were being recruited locally but the store manager and assistant manager would be coming from the UK.

She confirmed that the Guernsey store would mirror the chain’s national sales and promotional campaigns.

The Internet retail side of the business has also progressed.

‘It’s going really well,’ she said.

‘We are also trying to get Internet points installed in the store so customers can look online if the product isn’t available in the shop.’

Ms Saunders thought there was space for other independent music outlets in the island.

‘You have to have room for specialist retailers – people like to have the choice,’ she said.

HMV has 230 stores nationwide as well as outlets in Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and Ireland. The company is planning to open 20 new ones.

Ms Saunders was impressed with the standard of the building.

‘The Markets development has come on in leaps and bounds since May,’ she said.

‘New Look looks fantastic – I think the whole building’s going to be a real catch.’

The store is expected to open in mid October.