THE Merry Hill branch of HMV has been saved from closure, just days before it was set to close for good.

HMV has confirmed the store is one of seven stores around the country that will now remain open due to new agreements being made with landlords.

The Merry Hill branch has been saved along with stores in the Birmingham Bullring, Glasgow Braehead, Edinburgh Ocean Terminal, Reading Oracle, Sheffield Meadowhall and Grimsby.

The stores were previously at risk of closing at the end of January due to the "extortionate" business rates in certain locations.

A spokesperson from HMV said: "After previously widespread reports of the closure of these stores this is great news for our staff and for our loyal customers in the communities, who can continue to look to HMV to provide the best entertainment offer on the high street and online."

Two stores, in Worcester and Bristol Cribbs, remain under the threat of closure at the end of this month unless new deals can be agreed.

Leeds Headrow is set to close at the end of January, having been replaced with a new store in Leeds St Johns Shopping Centre, which opened in 2019.

HMV was purchased in a rescue deal by music mogul Doug Putman in February 2019 after it crashed into administration for the second time in five years in December 2018.

The Merry Hill store initially closed on February 5 last year but then reopened on February 23 to delight of fans.