Crystal Clear, a company which also had a shop in Northampton, has shut its base in High Street, Kettering, joining a long list of shops which have left the town centre.

The problem has become increasingly worse in the last two years, during which time Johnsons Cleaners, The Brampton Pie Company, Stationery Box, perfume shop L'Aura and family business J W Stirling and Son have all left the town.

Paul Lawson, of Crystal Clear, said: "It was heartbreaking to leave – it was our shop and we built it from scratch.

"In the centre of Kettering it's just bare. You look up and down the High Street and so many units are empty. Everyone is struggling and it gets to the point where it's not financially viable.

"You look at what's happening in Corby and Wellingborough then you look at Kettering. People are leaving the town in droves.

"We ran the shop for about six years but it gets to the point where people come into the town, pay to park for an hour and just get what they need, they don't wander around.

"The days of browsing are gone. I think more and more of the small companies will leave and Kettering will be left with pound shops, coffee shops and big retailers."

Jim Hakewill, leader of Kettering Council, said: "There are no short-term cures. Our best choice is to seek some major names attracted to the town."

On Thursday, the Evening Telegraph said Kettering Chamber of Trade offered every town trader a free 18-month membership to rally support to help fight competition from Corby and Wellingborough.