A greetings card retailer is to quit a town centre – in another major blow to the high street.   

Clinton Cards will close its store on King Street in Whitehaven on March 19 – Mother’s Day.

It is one of a number of big names to leave the town centre in recent months, with the departure of banking giants HSBC and NatWest. Clothing retailer M&Co is also set to close.

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Charles Maudling, mayor of Whitehaven and chair of Whitehaven and District Chamber of Trade, said: “It’s unfortunate but it’s every town and city.

“On the other hand, there is a new business moving into the empty Game shop.”

Mr Maudling said Jim Youngman Carpets would also be moving back into its shop on King Street after temporarily vacating the premises due to flooding.

He added: “We need everybody to shop local and help the businesses. It’s local shops that employ local staff.”

Gerard Richardson MBE, who owns Richardson’s of Whitehaven, said: “It’s really sad for the staff of Clinton Cards and for the town as it’s yet another empty space on what used to be the most envied high street in the area.

“That said, I do firmly believe that Whitehaven is better placed than many other towns to recover, largely because the units are of the right size for independent traders and regional chains and for the next few years, they are the only game in town.”

Staff at Clintons in Whitehaven declined to comment when approached by The Whitehaven News.

READ MORE: NatWest to close branch on Lowther Street in Whitehaven