Iconic card shop is closing ANOTHER store amid plans to close 38 branches
An iconic card shop with the 'friendliest staff' has closed its doors for good, much to the disappointment of customers.
The chain announced last year it would likely close 38 stores, with another shuttering for the final time today.
Clintons Cards called for some of its 179 stores to close in an attempt to avoid insolvency.
Today staff at the branch on Castle Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire counted the tills for the last time.
Half a dozen stores had already closed, including in Cambridgeshire, Cumbria and Northamptonshire.
The Castle Street branch was much loved by customers.
Many left online reviews of the staff and stock, praising them.
One man gave it five stars and wrote: “I've been using this store for years.
“Always friendly with a good range of quality cards.”
Others complimented the “great selection” and said it was “easy to find what I was looking for.”
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 on February 17th.
“So hurry while you can to get all your lovely Valentine's Day gifts and cards.
“There will be no closing sale as stock will be transferred to another store.”
Another customer said: “Another empty business plot.
“Hinckley town center has absolutely nothing to offer.
“Gone are the days when you could come to town and find everything you needed. It's like a bottlenose dolphin town.'
Another wrote: “It's a shame all the old shops are closing.”
Clintons is among retailers hit by declining footfall on the high street and competition from online rivals.
More main street closures
By Olivia Marshall
Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as shoppers cut back on spending due to the rising cost of living.
High energy costs and the move to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking their toll, with many high street stores struggling to continue.
The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are in the pipeline.
Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
Many retailers are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Energy costs have risen and more consumers than ever are choosing to order online instead of going to the store.
This leaves some retailers struggling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
British retailers saw the amount of goods sold fall last month, at the fastest pace in three years, as under-pressure households moved some of their Christmas shopping to earlier in the year.
Sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, Office for National Statistics data showed, compared with a 1.4% increase a month earlier.
Several major chains are pulling down the shutters for the last time this month.
Lidl is pulling down the shutters on its site in Thornaby.
The bargain retailer has confirmed that its Stockton-on-Tees locations will close on February 29.
Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to develop its brand.
In August 2023, restructuring experts FRP Advisory and law firm Jones Day presented plans to rescue the company in an insolvency court.
The deal will help save thousands of jobs and more than a hundred stores 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 more than a hundred British 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 saying goodbye to a selection of stores that did not earn enough money to keep them profitable.
Clintons originally planned to merge with another struggling stationary brand Paperchase.
Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt early last year.
At its peak, Clinton's had 2,500 employees in 335 stores.