Former Clinton Cards shop in Whitehaven to go up for auction

The former Clinton Cards shop on King Street in Whitehaven has stood empty since closing on March 19, 2023. It will now go under the hammer with Auction House Cumbria later this year.

The Clinton Cards shop on King Street in Whitehaven closed last year (Image: Newsquest)

The three-storey building with a ‘prime position’ in the town centre, includes a shop, office, kitchen and store on the ground floor, with further accommodation on the upper two floors.

It is one of a number of empty retail units in Whitehaven town centre currently on the market.

The former shop floor which has now been stripped bare (Image: Auction House Cumbria)

Charles Maudling, chair of Whitehaven and District Chamber of Trade, said he had received several enquiries from potential traders about empty units in the town.

He said: “I have shown them round the town. They would be independent retailers. We have several, very strong local independent businesses  and more looking. Aldi is building a larger store and there are other developments.

“Money is being spent in the town. We have a very strong local entrepreneurs’ market once a month which brings in a lot of outside and local footfall into the town. 

The empty building offers further accommodation on the upper two floors (Image: Auction House Cumbria)

“My advice was, now is the time. Hopefully it will be one of the people we showed around. There is a tremendous opportunity and openings in most trades.”

Edwin Dinsdale, who represents Whitehaven Central South on Whitehaven Town Council, said: “It would be great if somebody could come in and buy the premises under auction and reopen as a business.

“For me, it would be locally-driven shops or companies.”

The building will be up for auction at The Halston Hotel in Carlisle at 12pm on April 4. For enquiries, call Auction House Cumbria on 01228 510 552.