Nearly a thousand jobs are set to be lost at HMV after the stricken music retailer announced plans to close 66 stores in the UK.

In a statement released today (February 6), the iconic brand confirmed plans to shut a number of branches across the country, with 930 jobs due to be lost.

The company, which went into administration in January, has not put a specific date on the closures but they will come sooner rather than later. A statement from their administrators said:

"No fixed date is set for the closure of these stores which will continue to trade in the meantime.  However, it is expected that closures will take place over the next one to two months."

HMV currently runs 220 stores across the UK and their remaining shops are due to stay open in the meantime.

Restructuring group Hilco UK recently bought over HMV's debt, giving it effective control of the retail chain.