BLOCKBUSTER stores in Stevenage and Hitchin are to shut after a further 164 shops were added to a closure list today (Wednesday).

The DVD rental firm’s Stevenage store in Monkswood Way will shut in the coming weeks as part of a phased closure programme.

The fate of the Henlow Camp shop was announced as part of a first wave of closures in January, and administrator Deloitte has now confirmed that the Hitchin store in Hermitage Road was also on the initial list of 160 outlets.

There are currently no plans to close the Letchworth GC store in Eastcheap.

Lee Manning, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: “We have continued to review the performance of individual stores since our appointment a month ago and have concluded that further closures are necessary in order to restructure the company for sale.

“We would like to thank the company’s employees for their support and professionalism during this difficult time and we are also grateful for the continued support of customers. We are in discussions with a number of parties interested in purchasing all or parts of the business and will update on progress in due course.”