HMV's managing director says the 'door is still open' to resurrect talks with the shop's Worcester landlord, in the hope of saving the city centre store.

As it stands, negotiations with the landlord have broken down and the store will close "in the near future", a spokesman for the retailer said.

Earlier this week, posters appeared on the shop saying 'Store closing, everything must go' and, in a statement, Neil Taylor, HMV's managing director, confirmed that the store is shutting down with the final date "yet to be agreed".

Mr Taylor blamed the impending closure on "a failure to reach agreement with the landlord on the terms of our lease at this property".

Sunrise Records bought HMV in February after the music, DVDs and games retailer went into administration, and Mr Taylor said that, at the time, he believed a deal could be struck with the Worcester store's landlord to keep the shop open long term.

However, now Mr Taylor has said: "Following the purchase of the business (on February 5) we believed that we could reach agreement with the landlord at this site, however negotiations have led us to enter close down mode, which is not what we wanted.

"Our door is still open to the landlord should they wish to agree a deal that would allow us to remain in Worcester at our current location.

"I would like to thank all of our loyal customers for their support and also the staff at HMV Worcester for their dedication and hard work."

HMV would not provide details on the reason for the negotiations breaking down.

Although HMV sits at the front of Crowngate Shopping Centre on the High Street, Crown Estates, which owns the shopping centre, is not HMV's landlord.

The Worcester News approached HMV, Crown Estates and Worcester City Council in an attempt to find out the identity of the shop's landlord, but the answer was not provided.

News of the store's impending closure was met with sadness by many Worcester residents.

One, Mike Parkin, said: "This is a real loss to Worcester. It has well informed and enthusiastic staff. People need to use the High Street rather than the internet."

Andrew Simmons added: "Very sad. Where can I buy CDs or DVDs in Worcester now?"

Roy Phelpotts added: "We all have ourselves to blame, I'm sorry to say - ie Spotify, downloads, Ebay, music apps."