The last store in the FreshXpress chain that emerged out of the collapse of Kwik Save will be sold to a major multiple in the next couple of weeks.

Three stores have closed since November, leaving just the store in St Helens still open.This is now expected to close early next week.

FreshXpress, initially run by former Kwik Save boss Paul Niklas and Irish investor Brendan Murtagh, began with 56 stores in July 2007 but quickly sold off 32.

FreshXpress went into administration in March last year, only for the company to re-emerge as FX Holdings with just nine stores. This company is expected to be officially wound up over the next few weeks.

Trevor Ferringno, who is now in charge of the business following the departure of MD Andrew King, said the stores were not making enough money.