A LONG-ESTABLISHED Herefordshire shop has now closed.

Celebrations, a card, gift and fancy-dress shop in Leominster’s Corn Square has permanently shut after serving the town for many years.

In November, a sign appeared on the shop’s door announcing that all stock would be subject to a 50 per cent discount as it would be closing imminently. Locals quickly flocked to the store to say their farewells and make the most out of the sales but it seems that, with the festive season coming to an end, the owners have decided to close up.

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Whilst the exterior branding still remains, the interior of Celebrations has been almost completely emptied with only a counter and two card racks left intact. 

Many people flocked to social media to express their sadness, but the shops Facebook page has now been deleted from the site.

Now that the doors are closed Leominster has been left with only one independent card shop, Best Wishes, which is situated in the High Street.

Competition may soon arrive, however, as earlier this year the Card Factory chain was granted planning consent for new signage at a premises in the same street as Best Wishes.

The West Yorkshire-based firm’s move drew five objections from residents, including one from Best Wishes owner Abi Hallam, who said she was shocked and saddened by the 'opening of this huge large-scale multinational cheap budget card shop.'

"This will have a huge detrimental effect on mine and fellow other small retailers,” she said.

“I fear this will be the death of my business.”