Theo Paphitis eyes HMV, Jessops and Blockbuster stores

Theo Paphitis, the owner of Ryman, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue, is reported to have held talks with the administrators for collapsed retailers HMV, Jessops and Blockbuster as he considers making a bid to purchase some of their stores.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the retail entrepreneur and star of the BBC’s Dragon’s Den said: “My interest for HMV harks from an era that thinks what a great brand. Often I have looked at things and thought is there something there?

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“Also I could put a Dyas or Ryman in some of its stores, and am also talking to the administrator of Jessops where I have identified some shops, as well as Blockbuster.”

Deloitte, the administrator for HMV, is in talks with a number of parties interested in buying various parts of the entertainment retailer’s business. Restructuring firm Hilco, which now controls much of HMV’s debt, is expected to acquire the HMV brand and is keen to rescue around half of the 223 UK stores, according to reports.