MORE than 50 jobs could be lost in Salisbury after the HMV group announced its plans for Ottakar's, which include closing the city centre headquarters.

The purchase of the bookstore chain was completed on Monday last week, and an announcement soon followed confirming that all four administrative offices, including the one on the corner of Milford Street and Gigant Street, are to shut.

There will be some integration into the offices of Waterstone's, which is also owned by HMV, but redundancies are inevitable among the 50-strong workforce at the Salisbury headquarters.

In a further blow for the city, it was also stated that in "overlap" locations where there is both a Waterstone's and an Ottakar's shop, it is likely one will be sold. Salisbury is one such city, with the two stores just a few hundred yards apart.

The company is now entering a consultation period with staff, and there will be no redundancy announcements until at least October.

But it is certain that not all those who work at the Milford Street office will be offered a job within the company, or be prepared to relocate to London.

John Howells, the Salisbury-based public relations manager for Ottakar's, said staff were being realistic about their prospects.

"Morale is fine. Obviously it's sad that we are losing the Ottakar's brand, but everyone understands why it's happening," he said.

"The British book trade is very competitive and two companies joining together makes perfect sense.

"Everybody is being kept really informed, and there will be some positions available at the Waterstone's office in Brentford.

"Nobody will be made redundant until October and we may stay open in Salisbury for a while beyond that it all depends on how smoothly it goes."

The company is now starting a rebranding of Ottakar's, with the aim of bringing all stores under the Waterstone's banner by Christmas.

The managing director of the combined Waterstone's and Ottakar's business, Gerry Johnson, set out the plans for its immediate future.

"I am delighted to welcome our new colleagues at Ottakar's to Waterstone's," he said.

"We are sharing with them a very thorough programme for combining the best aspects of the Waterstone's and Ottakar's businesses in the shortest amount of time which is sensible.

"We will begin rebranding Ottakar's stores to Waterstone's and consolidating head office locations and management structures.

"An integration team comprising representatives from both companies has been set up to work through the delivery of these plans."