THE store manager of the Island's branch of HMV has said that rumours that the store is going to close are "massively demoralising to staff."

Last week the HMV Group PLC (comprising of HMV and Waterstone's) said it would be taking "aggressive action" and closing 60 stores across the United Kingdom after sales fell by 13.3 percent in the 10 weeks up to January 1.

Pete McMurrie told isleofman.com that he was confident that the Isle of Man store would not be closed.

He said: "May I take this opportunity to allay fears that HMV in The Strand is about to close.

"If it were not so disheartening to be told in my store that somebody 'has it on good authority' we are about to close our doors it would almost be laughable. In fact some of the whispers certainly are!

"Although HMV is not in a position at this present time to list store-for-store closures may I direct readers to the statements made by HMV's Genarro Castaldo relating to a "small number of stores which in the main are likely to be located in large city conurbations".

"I appreciate the urgency in which residents require a definitive response as to whether or not we have future on the Island.  All I can say is that we are more than confident we will be proudly serving our customers here on the Isle of Man for many years to come.

"Also, while I thank you for your kind support this past week, please speak to Genarro Castaldo at HMV if you require further comment.

"This IS our passion, and we look forward to seeing you, helping you and giving you world class customer service in our store."

While the closure of the Isle of Man store cannot be ruled out, it would appear unlikely.

A spokesman for the HMV Group said: "We are talking about a relatively small number of stores which in the main are likely to be located in large city conurbations and trading in close proximity to each other resulting in a degree of duplication in relation to local demand."

Also see: Future of Island's HMV in doubt?