Sadiq Khan is ridiculed after heralding the return of HMV with ‘London is back’ by voters who accuse him of ruining the capital though his ‘wrecked TfL’ and much-hated Ulez charge

• HMV today relaunched its historic store after a four-year absence 

Sadiq Khan has been criticised after heralding the return of HMV’s store on Oxford Street with a ‘London is back’ message. 

HMV today relaunched its historic store after a four-year absence, with the band Madness opening the shutters for queuing members of the public. 

The London Mayor revealed a lot of his teenage years were spent at the shop listening to artists he still enjoys now. 

In a post on X, he wrote: ‘HMV is back – and so is London.’

But people were quick to ridicule his comment, claiming London has ‘more issues now than ever before’.

Followers hit out at the ‘wrecked’ TfL, Ulez and demonstrations against it, and accused Mr Khan of ‘destroying’ the city. 

Sadiq Khan posted about the return of HMV – but his post has garnered criticism

Sadiq Khan has been criticised after heralding the return of HMV’s store on Oxford Street with a ‘ London is back’ message

Members of the band Madness open the shutters to waiting members of the public today

One said: ‘I almost have sympathy now, then I remembered you have wrecked TFL and ruined London in your 7 year term so far and liking similar music is no excuse.’

Another wrote: ‘London however is far from being back and with #ULEZ it’s closer to being buried.’

And another hit out saying: ‘London is far from back, you’ve destroyed it.’

HMV shut the store in 2019 after the retail chain tumbled into administration and was forced to axe stores and jobs. The site, at 363 Oxford Street, had been operating as an American sweet shop following its closure.

However, in April HMV confirmed it had sealed a deal with the landlord to return to the site – and the retailer’s boss said today is a ‘great moment’ for the chain’s recovery. 

Owner Doug Putman said he hopes the shop can have ‘crowds which will shut down the street’ again, harking back to memorable visits including Michael Jackson, the Spice Girls and Sir Paul McCartney.

Members of the public queue for the opening of the HMV shop on Oxford Street in central London on November 24

Owner of HMV, Doug Putman, with dog Holly outside the new HMV store

Mike Barson, Mark Bedford, Woody Woodgate, Chris Foreman, Suggs and Lee Thompson of the band Madness who opened the store 

The entrepreneur, who recently attempted to buy fellow high street chain Wilko from collapse, said the chain has returned after striking a better deal with the shop’s landlord

Read more: A triumphant return for HMV as it opens its doors on Oxford Street 

The retailer was rescued from insolvency by Canadian Putman’s Sunrise Records business.

The entrepreneur, who recently attempted to buy fellow high street chain Wilko from collapse, said the chain has returned after striking a better deal with the shop’s landlord.

‘It is a pretty great moment for us, coming back here after four years away,’ he said.

‘When we bought the business, we couldn’t keep the site because the rates bill and rent just didn’t make any financial sense.

‘Getting another location in London was an immediate priority and as it became more obvious that the rent and rate situation here had improved and the landlord was open to discussions, we just felt it would be the right move to come back to somewhere with such history to us.’

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