HMV announces plans to close Inverness site in Eastgate Shopping Centre, but is 'hopeful' of securing a new store base somewhere else in the Highland capital
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HMV's Inverness store is to close – but it is eyeing up alternative sites in the city.
The music and DVD retailer announced the decision to close its existing base in the Eastgate Shopping Centre "following discussions with the landlord".
But, while the site's closing down sale is set to launch this Friday, it said it was not turning its back on the Highland capital.
And it has added that it is still in discussions with the Eastgate Shopping Centre and is "hoping an agreement can be made" before its existing lease expires.
A spokesperson for HMV said: “HMV has taken the decision to close the Inverness store following discussions with the landlord. We’re looking for an alternative site in the city where we hope to be able to open as soon as possible.
“Our brilliant staff have been informed of both the closure and the plans for a new store, where we hope to offer them new positions. We’d like to thank both our staff and the local community for their continued, incredible support.”
Reacting to the news, an Eastgate Shopping Centre spokesperson said: "As of now we have not received any formal notice from HMV."
They added that "we have had extensive negotiations ", and that an offer had been made to the retailer and that the Eastgate were still "waiting for that to go to the [HMV owners'] board in Canada" for a response.
