Ian Murray MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, responding to the announcements that retailer HMV -; which is in administration -; will not honour vouchers or gift cards, said:

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“HMV is a national institution that has been a feature of our high streets for over 90 years, so it hugely worrying that it has gone into administration.• Not least for the sake of HMV’s employees, we hope a way can be found to keep the business going as to lose the business would be a sad loss to British retail.

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“It is disappointing that the company have confirmed that they will no longer accept gift cards and vouchers.• Many people will have received HMV gift cards over Christmas and were no doubt looking forward to using them to make a purchase.• We are only are few weeks into January and there will be many people with gift cards and vouchers that they have not yet used.• It will strike consumers as unfair that whilst the company is still trading, they are unable to use gift cards and vouchers.

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“Particularly given that when Comet went into administration recently a solution was reached whereby consumers could still redeem vouchers, I hope that HMV and its administrators will be able to reconsider their decision and will work to make sure consumers’ gift cards and vouchers are honoured.”

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