HMV Craigavon to close

The store at Rushmere is one of nine stores across Northern Ireland which have been marked for closure by administrators Deloitte.

As well as Craigavon, HMV is due to cease operating at Forestside and Boucher Road in Belfast, Ballymena, Coleraine, Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry and Newtownabbey.

It’s understood the flagship store in High Street in Belfast City Centre has escaped the cuts.

Across the UK, the closures of 66 stores will affect a total of 930 staff.

“This step has been taken in order to enhance the prospects of securing the business’ future as a going concern,” said Nick Edwards, joint administrator at Deloitte.

“We continue to receive strong support from staff and are extremely grateful to them for their commitment during an understandably difficult period. All other key stakeholders remain very supportive and I continue to be hopeful of securing a future for the restructured business.”