Card shop Clintons is the latest big high street name to find itself in talks in a bid to avoid collapse.

The chain is in talks with landlords over rents - a move which many believe could lead to it entering a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) - a move which sees those it owes money to agree to longer, or reduced, payment terms to allow the business to continue.

Clintons has stores across the county, with branches in Gravesend, Bluewater, Westwood Cross, Canterbury, Folkestone, Sittingbourne, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Rochester and Gillingham.

It has some 332 outlets nationwide, employing some 2,500 staff.

Reports at the weekend suggested it was considering closing some 66 branches, and were entering negotiations with landlords over 200 others.

Speaking to KentOnline, a spokesman for the firm said: "Discussions are continuing with our landlords but no decisions have been made."

They would not comment further on claims of store closures or an impending CVA.

Formed in 1968, Clintons - previously known as Clinton Cards until a rebrand - is owned by the American Weiss family who took it over in 2012.

In September it announced it was seeking a new buyer for the chain.

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