The county branches of stricken retailer Clinton Cards have escaped the first round of closures.

Adminstrators at finance specialist Zolfo Cooper have revealed 25 UK stores under the Birthdays brand and 19 trading as Clinton Cards will shut by the end the month with 300 job losses as a result but none are in Oxfordshire.

Attempts to sell the business as a going concern are continuing but further closures are expected in the next few weeks.

Joint administrator Peter Saville said: “We have received expressions of interest from a number of third parties and are confident that the remaining retail estate will be better placed going forward.

The firm has six county stores in: Westgate Centre, Oxford; Woolgate Centre, Witney; Sheep Street, Bicester; Buttermarket, Thame; Castle Quay, Banbury and Bell Street, Henley, with about 60 staff.

The Banbury Birthdays store has also escaped closure so far.