TALKS are under way to find a firm to move into the now empty HMV store.

Malcolm Angus, the boss of Crompton Place Shopping Centre, says one retailer has already show “strong interest” in the vacant shop — but could not say which one.

The news comes amid reports that some HMV stores could be saved from closure if a deal is struck soon by Hilco, the firm which owns HMV Canada and bought HMV UK’s debts after it went into administration in January.

The Bolton town centre store closed on Thursday, March 21, and was one of 103 HMV shops to shut with the loss of 1,500 jobs.

The Bolton shop had been trading since the mid-1980s and 10 staff lost their jobs.

Mr Angus said: “We are working very hard behind the scenes to find a new tenant for the former HMV unit as soon as possible.

“We are already talking to a national retailer which has expressed a serious interest in taking the unit and we are in negotiations regarding this. Crompton Place welcomes about six million customers a year and we are committed to providing the best possible range of shops for them and for the town.

“We are always looking at ways of improving and growing the retail mix. That is something we are absolutely committed to delivering.”

It has been reported that Hilco is looking to buy 120 HMV shops and could reverse some closures. A spokesman for Deloitte, which has been handling the administration of HMV, said: “We aren’t able to comment on individual closures or potential reopenings, but all the recent closures have been in keeping with the schedule we publicised earlier this year.”

If Hilco buys the High Street chain, the deal would need to be approved by HMV stakeholders such as suppliers, record labels, film studios and landlords.