HMV is set to launch three new stores across the UK and Europe.

The retailer, which has a store in Cheltenham, will be opening the new shops in Peterborough, Cork in Ireland and The Hague in the Netherlands, as reported by Retail Gazette.

The Cork store will be the entertainment retailer's third Irish store, while the store in The Hague will be its first in the Netherlands, as well as its third EU market, after Ireland and Belgium.

HMV said the Peterborough store is the culmination of five years' work to meet 'strong public demand'.

Looking ahead, the retailer plans to open more stores in Ireland and mainland Europe.

HMV had initially planned to open 10 UK stores this year, but said it had to put plans on hold, due to rising wage costs, as it worked to remain profitable despite strong sales growth.