AN iconic card shop with the “friendliest staff” has closed its doors for good, to the disappointment of customers.
The chain announced last year it would likely be closing down 38 stores, with another one pulling down the shutters for the final time today.
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Clintons Cards made the call to start shutting some of its 179 stores in a bid to avoid insolvency.
Today, staff at the branch on Castle Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire counted the tills for the final time.
Half a dozen stores had already closed including in Cambridgeshire, Cumbria and Northamptonshire.
The Castle Street branch had been much-loved by customers.
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Many left reviews online about its staff and stock – praising them.
One man gave it five stars, writing: “Have used this shop for years.
“Always friendly with good supply of quality cards.”
Others complimented its “large selection” and said it was “easy to find what I wanted”.
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Shoppers took to social media to share their sadness over the decision when it was first announced.
One said on Facebook: “Sorry to say Hinckley’s brand of Clinton cards will be closing down on February 17.
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“So hurry while you can to get all your lovely Valentine’s gifts and cards.
“There will be no closing down sale as stock will be transferred to another store.”
Another shopper said: “Another empty business plot.
“Hinckley town centre has absolutely nothing to offer.
“Gone are the days you could come into town and be able to find everything that you needed. It’s like a tumbleweed town.”
Another wrote: “It’s a shame all the old shops are shutting down.”
Clintons is among retailers which have been affected by depressed high street footfall and competition from online rivals.
More high street closures
By Olivia Marshall
Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year and more are on their way.
Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
Many retailers have been struggling to get by, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Energy costs have risen, and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and have no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
British retailers saw the amount of goods they sold drop last month at its fastest rate in three years as under-pressure families shifted part of their Christmas shop to earlier in the year.
Sales volumes dipped by 3.2% in December, data from the Office for National Statistics suggests, down from a rise of 1.4% a month before.
Several big-name chains are pulling down the shutters for the final time this month.
Lidl will be pulling the shutters down on its site in Thornaby.
The bargain retailer has confirmed the sites in Stockton-on-Tees will shut on February 29.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
In August 2023, restructuring experts FRP Advisory and law firm Jones Day presented plans to save the business in an insolvency court.
The deal will help save thousands of jobs and over one hundred shops across the UK, but it still means dozens of branches will have to close their doors for good.
They came up with a deal to save thousands of jobs and over one hundred UK stores.
This led to the closure of stores in Cumbria, Bolton and Leeds last year.
More recently, Clintons closed its branch in Haverhill, Suffolk, last month.
This involved waving goodbye to a selection of shops that were not earning enough money to make them profitable to keep.
Originally, Clintons planned to merge with another struggling stationary brand Paperchase.
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However, the firm sadly went into administration at the start of last year.
At its peak, Clinton’s had 2,500 staff working across 335 shops.
