Fourteen jobs at risk at Clinton’s and Birthdays

Nine staff are currently employed at the Clinton Cards store in Magherafelt, while five people work in Birthdays - also owned by the company - in Cookstown’s James Street.

Staff said they were unable to make any comment at this time.

Clinton’s was founded in 1968 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It currently employs over 8,000 full time and part time staff.

Peter Saville, Joint Administrator and Partner at Zolfo Cooper said, “Our first priority is to stabilise the business and assess its financial position. We will continue to trade the business whilst we undertake a full marketing exercise to find buyers for all or parts of the Group so that the best possible outcome can be achieved for stakeholders.

“It is likely that a number of stores will need to be closed in order to make the business financially viable. However, Clinton Cards and Birthdays are very well-known brands on the high street and we believe that there is a strong underlying core business. We are therefore confident that it is an attractive proposition for a range of potential buyers and welcome expressions of interest from third parties.”