Town card shop to reopen

A former Birthdays store on a Shropshire high street which closed when the chain went bust will reopen as a cards, gift and confectionery shop employing two former members of staff.

Workers at the Ludlow shop were shocked by the closure in June as they had initially been told the store had been saved.

They posted a note on the door telling shoppers what had happened.

There were Birthdays stores in Ludlow and Bridgnorth and 10 people lost their jobs when the two shops closed.

The Ludlow premises has now been taken on by husband and wife, Ray and Lorraine Edwards, and will stock cards and gifts for special occasions as well as a complete range of Thorntons products.

It is expected to open next week.

Mr Edwards said: "It's going to be an independently run Hallmark Gold Crown store. We're also having a full Thorntons franchise. They did a small amount there before, we are doing the whole product range."

The store will also stock gifts for babies, weddings, anniversaries and special birthdays and will also be selling jewellery.

Mr Edwards said: "We're taking on board two members of the previous Birthdays staff in the short term, obviously we've got to see how it goes, but if it goes well, there will be room for additions. The reaction we've had is that a lot of people have missed it."