The ABC has 50 retail stores around the country and 78 ABC Centres in other retail outlets, including the Collins Booksellers shops in Tamworth and Armidale.

Owner Jan McManus said Collins had informed them of the ABC’s decision yesterday morning.

Collins Booksellers’ 20 stores with ABC Centres had been told their ABC Centre franchising licence would be cancelled from February 5 next year, but negotiations were ongoing.

Mrs McManus said Collins was continuing discussions with the national broadcaster in regard to whether Collins shops would continue to operate as ABC-branded outlets after this date.

In the meantime, though, she said it was business as usual in regard to their ABC outlet.

And, Mrs McManus was quick to clarify, their book stores would continue to operate, regardless of the outcome of the ABC negotiations.

“We’ve had a lot of people (today) asking if we’re closing – we’re not, we’re still open and will remain that way,” she said.

ABC managing director Mark Scott said yesterday the closures were regrettable, but they couldn’t keep taking money from broadcasting to prop up the retail chain. 

“It is no longer possible for the ABC to sustain a large network of leased stores, traditionally reliant on DVD and CD formats,” he said. 

However, ABC DVDs, music, books, toys and merchandise would still be “widely available” through ABC Shop Online and other retailers.

It’s expected about 300 people will lose their jobs in the process.