Struggling discount chain Kwik Save bade farewell to the high street in July but not without a fight or controversy.

In February ex-CEO Paul Niklas returned with a consortium of private investors to save the chain but despite promises of improving supply and a re-brand to shed its discounter image, by the end of March many stores were left with little or stock.

Nonetheless the chain struggled on, closing 79 stores and axing 800 of its staff in a bid to save it from bankruptcy until, on 6 July, it was placed into administration.

Part of the chain has risen from the ashes, however. Of the 56 stores bought by Irish property tycoon Brendan Murtagh, 24 have been kept and rebadged as FreshXpress - with Niklas at the helm.