The once go-to place to buy greetings cards and gifts, Clintons cards, will be closing its doors in Gloucester for good next month.

Last week, Clintons, which has been a firm fixture in Gloucester city centre since the 1990s, announced it will close on April 1 - which, at first, customers thought was a cruel April fool's joke.

A spokesperson for Gloucester BID, said: "Unfortunately for them, and the seven strong team at the King's Walk branch, it was all too real."

Natalia Conner-Smith, store manager, who has been working at the shop for 13 years, said: "Post Covid, people's buying habits have definitely changed.

"Saturday is no longer the busiest day for us. People are choosing to buy more online, and with the cost of energy prices surging, along with increases in rent, it's unfortunately just not sustainable to continue."

The decision, made by Clintons' head office, comes after closing the Cheltenham High Street store last year. The nearest store now will be in Cabots Circus in Bristol.

Natalia continued: "Since we put the notice up that we were closing, we've had people coming in and offering us jobs. Most of us have something lined up for after we close, but we are trying to help the few that haven't been so lucky yet.

"We've made some wonderful friendships working here in Gloucester. We've enjoyed our time here and would like to thank everyone for their custom and support over the years. We'll be sad leave and say goodbye to everyone."

Family-run business Clintons was founded in Essex in 1968. By 1988, the business had grown to 77 stores and in 1994 it had 270 stores. There are currently about 225 Clinton stores in the UK.