HMV expands with boutique cinema chain

Music retailer HMV is branching into the movie business by opening a chain of boutique cinemas.

The first, a three-screen cinema offering arthouse films and a licensed bar, will open on the second-floor of HMV's Wimbledon store on Friday. If successful, dozens more could be opened over the next year.

HMV's CEO Simon Fox said: "This is the start of something big for us."

The retailer has launched the cinemas with Curzon, in the hope of recouping sales lost due to a drop in CD demand.