The Rickmansworth branch of Clinton Cards closed last Sunday after the company went into administration.

The firm went into administration on May 9, and 397 of the company's shops, including those in Watford and St Albans, were sold to Lakeshore Lending Limited on June 7.

A total of 76 stores, including one in Rickmansworth High Street, were not sold to Lakeshore, and remained under the control of the joint administrators, Peter Saville, Simon Freakley and Anne O’Keefe, partners at restructuring specialists Zolfo Cooper.

However in a statement released by Zolfo Cooper today, it was announced that "due to deteriorating market conditions" there had been no interest in the purchase of the last of the former shops, including the Rickmansworth branch,

Peter Saville, partner at Zolfo Cooper, said: "It is with regret that we have had to take the decision to close the remaining stores.

"We are nonetheless pleased that in an extremely challenging retail environment we were able to effect the sale of almost 400 stores thus preserving something in the region of 4,500 jobs.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the employees of the former Clinton Cards business we have worked with during the administration period for their professionalism and dedication and to wish them well for the future."