A STALWART of York’s high street could be saved from closure.

The owners of HMV say negotiations are ongoing in a bid to save the city’s shop.

The Press reported in March that the Coney Street store had announced it was to close down, just weeks after the company went into administration.

About 1,500 jobs around the country were saved by Canadian retailer Sunrise Records, which bought 100 stores around the UK.

Following the buyout, Sunrise Records announced 27 unprofitable stores were to be closed, with the loss of 455 jobs.

While the York branch was not affected by the planned closures, ‘Closing Down’ signs appeared in the windows in March.

HMV managing director Neil Taylor told The Press in March that the company was “led to believe that we could reach agreement with the landlord at this site, however, it is extremely disappointing that negotiations have ultimately been unsuccessful”.

Staff at the store were initially told the doors were due to close for good by April, but the shop remains open and Mr Taylor said this week that negotiations remained ongoing.

He said: “Currently there is no confirmed closure date for the store, however we have until the end of July to agree terms of a new lease with the landlord. This is an ongoing process and York is a store we would like in the portfolio.

“We are hopeful our landlord will agree a deal with us that will enable us to have a long term future in York but at present we will remain in closure mode until a deal can be concluded.”