God. My heart actually broke a little when I heard about this one. A 17-year-old kid—SEVENTEEN—who had the guts to open his own shop while most teens are still figuring out how to do laundry, is now forced to shut down because the high street is basically on life support.
Imperial Cards in Huddersfield is closing its doors for good. The owner, Stephen Mallalieu, made the gut-wrenching announcement on Facebook last week, and I can't stop thinking about it.
When a Teenager Shows Up the Adults
I walked past Imperial Arcade last February and noticed this fresh-faced kid arranging displays. Turns out he'd opened the shop in January 2025, making him possibly the youngest shop owner in Huddersfield town center. I remember thinking, "Well damn, what was I doing at 17?" (Answer: making terrible life choices involving hair dye and a boy named Craig).
Stephen's announcement was heartbreaking: "I am writing this with sadness, but Imperial Cards is closing down at the end of June or beginning of July — no date confirmed yet. I'll keep you updated when I know more."
He's now running a 30% off closing down sale. A thank you to customers who ultimately weren't enough to keep his dream alive.
The Brutal Truth Nobody Wants to Hear
The kid didn't mince words about why he's closing. "Nobody is spending money in Huddersfield," he wrote.
Just let that sink in.
He also called out Kirklees Council, saying they need to "put effort into making the town a better place to shop." Then came the line that got me: "I'm 17, trying to do well and make a difference — but it's not working. Very, very sad."
I spoke with a local shop owner next door who told me, "That boy worked harder than most adults I know. Would come in early, stay late. His parents would help him stock shelves on weekends." (Meanwhile my 16-year-old nephew can't even remember to take out teh trash without seventeen reminders.)
Customers Gutted But Is Anyone Surprised?
The Facebook post got flooded with supportive comments. One person wrote: "imperial cards I'm really sorry to hear it ., you've tried hard but don't give up on your dreams." Another added: "Congratulations on your first adventure and hope to see new pathways open up for you in the future."
Nice words. Shame they didn't translate to actual sales.
Just Another Victim in the Retail Bloodbath
Look, this isn't happening in isolation. Back in 2023, I watched three shops close on my local high street within a month. Imperial Cards is joining the likes of Sports Direct, New Look, and WHSmith who've all been shuttering locations faster than I abandon my New Year's resolutions.
The British Retail Consortium says retailers are facing a £2.3 BILLION burden from higher running costs, tax changes, and increased National Insurance contributions. That's not a headwind—it's a hurricane.
And it's the small guys who get blown away first.
Why Should We Even Care?
I spent £4.50 on a birthday card last week. Online. From my sofa. While watching Netflix. And I'm part of the problem.
But there's something profoundly sad about a 17-year-old with the entrepreneurial spirit to open a brick-and-mortar store in 2025 being forced to close within months. What message does that send to other young people with dreams?
"Don't bother trying"—that's what.
Professor Bamfield predicts we could lose 202,000 retail jobs this year alone. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
I called Stephen yesterday to see how he was holding up. Poor kid. He sounded exhausted but weirdly optimistic. "I learned more in six months than school taught me in years," he told me. "Next time I'll try something with lower overhead."
Next time. At least someone still believes there can be a next time.
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