When did Blockbuster close in the UK?-Caroline Westbrook-Entertainment – Metro

Blockbuster Video once had thousands of branches across the world (Picture: Getty Images)

Netflix is giving us all a nostalgia trip with new series Blockbuster – a present-day tribute to the dearly departed video rental emporium.

The 10-part comedy series centres on the last operating Blockbuster store and its staff as they attempt to keep the ailing business going, with a cast led by comedian Randall Park and Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Melissa Fumero.

Of course it may well bring back some fond memories for those of us who can still remember popping to our local Blockbuster video on a Saturday night to rent a DVD or even a video (for those of a certain age) – before the age of streaming took over.

Just when did Blockbuster close in the UK though – and are there any stores still in existence in the world?

When did Blockbuster close in the UK?

Blockbuster closed its doors in the UK for good on December 16 2013.

The chain first opened on these shores in 1989 and at the time of its initial collapse in January 2013 had 528 stores in the UK employing 4,190 staff.

However, by the time it went into administration for the second time in November 2013 it had 264 branches with a workforce of around 2,000.

Just 91 of those stores and 808 staff remained by the time it closed all its remaining stores the following month.

Blockbuster first went into administration in January of that year, being rescued by a private equity group in March – but suffered poor trading across both rental and retail sales in spite of this.

The business was hit hard by competition from supermarkets, as well as the rise of online rentals at that time.

Are there any branches of Blockbuster video still open in the world?

The world’s last Blockbuster remains open in Oregon (Picture: Getty Images)

If you fancy a trip to Blockbuster, there is just one branch of the chain still open – and you’ll have quite the journey to get there.

The only remaining Blockbuster is in Bend, Oregon, around 160 miles away from Portland – having been the last branch standing ever since the remaining stores in Alaska closed in 2018, and the final remaining branch in Australia closed in 2019.

The store’s become something of a tourist attraction with people travelling from all over the US to visit the branch.

It was even the subject of a documentary film, The Last Blockbuster, which was released in 2020.

You can also follow them at their Instagram page or their official website.

Blockbuster is available to stream on Netflix now.

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