I, LIKE many others locally, am shocked and saddened to learn of the forthcoming closure of the large HMV music retailer in Churchill Square Shopping Centre.

I say “bravo” to HMV and well done for not being pushed into a large rent increase, which is the reason, so I understand, for closing down the store.

Greedy landlords have much to answer for, and I can only hope, once HMV moves out, that their site remains empty for a really long time, causing loss of rental income to the landlords.

One point of interest, which may not perhaps have escaped HMV, is that their former site, where they traded for many years in Western Road, near Clarence Square, before moving to Churchill Square, now appears to be vacant again.

So maybe they might consider moving back to these premises, if indeed they are not already thinking about this behind the scenes.

I say more businesses, like HMV, should stand up to landlords continually increasing rents excessively, and HMV is to be applauded for their stance on this occasion.

Barry Kingston, Upper St James’s Street, Brighton