ANOTHER Huddersfield store faces possible closure – after music retailer HMV fell into administration.

Thirteen staff at the chain’s Kingsgate store are among more than 4,000 staff at HMV outlets across the UK at risk of losing their jobs after the business collapsed in the wake of poor festive sales.

However, bosses at the stricken retailer are “convinced” they can secure a future for the business.

Chief executive Trevor Moore insisted there was a place for HMV on the high street and said he was “confident” of finding a solution.

The group said Christmas sales had been disappointing after the failure to secure the supply of two key tablet computers saw it miss out on surging demand for the gadgets.

Mr Moore, who previously headed failed retailer Jessops, also sparked speculation of management involvement in an attempt to rescue the business – saying: “I am every bit as passionate about HMV as I was when I joined in September.

“I’d like to be involved in the business going forward if the opportunity presented itself.”

Mr Moore said the group was doing whatever it could in conjunction with administrators Deloitte to safeguard jobs where possible”.

He said: “I would like to personally pay tribute to the 4,500 people who work for HMV. Clearly this is a very worrying time for them and their families.”

The appointment of administrators to the 92-year-old business comes after the failures of Jessops and Comet caused the closure of 422 stores and loss of more than 8,000 jobs.

Both retailers had stores in Huddersfield. Comet’s outlet at Leeds Road Retail Park closed in December while Jessops at Queen Street ceased trading at the weekend.

HMV’s 238 outlets will remain open while Deloitte tries to find a buyer for some or all of the business – but administration means that vouchers and gift cards – many given as Christmas presents – will be worthless.

Gary Wiltshire, store manager at Huddersfield, said the mood among staff was “fairly upbeat” considering the uncertainty about the chain’s future.

He said: “It is early days and although news like this is hard to take in, we remain hopeful and positive that there will be a positive outcome.

“We are still waiting to get a lot of information and we are trying to remain professional.”

Mr Wiltshire said staff were “very thankful” for the good wishes of customers.

He said: “People have been very supportive. All our loyal customers are very sympathetic and hoping things work out. They say they enjoy shopping at the store and that the staff are very nice.”

Mr Moore warned before Christmas that the retailer was in trouble – squeezed by internet retailers and supermarkets, whose size has enabled them to offer CDs and DVDs at cheaper prices.

At the time, Mr Moore said the group would fail to meet expectations for the year to April and that it would breach the terms of its loan agreements later this month.

Suppliers, including Universal Music, came to HMV’s rescue in January 2011 with a deal which helped the retailer shed some of its huge debt pile.

HMV, which sought to diversify into live venues and consumer electronics, was forced to sell off several parts of its business, including book retailer Waterstones, to reduce its debts. It also closed loss-making stores.

A RUN of some of the highest profile retail collapses since the demise of Woolworths in 2008 has deepened the crisis for Britain’s high streets.

And it has been felt in Huddersfield, with many familiar names shutting their shops.

The biggest failure of recent months was the demise of consumer electronics chain Comet, resulting in the loss of 6,900 jobs after administrator Deloitte closed all the stores without finding a buyer.

Others to go into administration in recent months have included sports retailer JJB Sports, the outdoor retail chain Blacks – later rescued by JD Sports Fashion for £20 million – and budget fashion chain Peacocks, which saw 388 of around 600 stores saved in a deal with Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

Gift retailer Past Times was another to go under in a new year rush of failures at the start of 2012. The post-Christmas period has been even worse this year after camera retailer Jessops also closed last week.

According to recent figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), more than one in 10 shops were empty in October.