THE closure of HMV will leave a large hole in the centre of Cornmarket Street.

The music chain has been staggering on like a wounded beast for over a year now, the victim of several factors including a sea change in how people buy their music.

And while it is no great surprise that it is closing the doors on that big store in Cornmarket, it has to be a blow to Oxford’s retail scene in general.

It may open elsewhere – although that has not been confirmed yet – but still this is one of the anchor stores of our shopping high street. Its demise cannot be positive.