Clinton Cards’ former group managing director Clinton Lewin aims to grow his iCandy greetings card business to 25 stores.

Lewin, the son of Clintons founder Don Lewin who named the chain after him, currently operates 11 iCandy stores.

He said in the longer term he would like to trade from a “tight and manageable” chain in the south with 25 stores.

Lewin founded the iCandy business at the end of 2012, opening two stores under the fascia.

It came after the family business, which had 750 stores, dramatically collapsed into administration in May 2012. It was eventually bought out of administration by one of Clintons biggest suppliers American Greetings.

Lewin plans to open one other store this year, which he said are all located on high streets.

“I’m happy with the growth. It’s very early days at the moment,” he said.

“Obviously it’s quite challenging still in the high street and shopping malls and I’m sure it’s going to stay that way for a while but we keep plugging along.

“Opening stores is easy but trading is more difficult. We are doing everything we can to ensure iCandy is a success,” he added.