The majority of The Officers Club's 150 stores were saved after it was bought by a new company called TimeC 1215 Limited backed by The Officers Club's chief executive David Charlton.

But the company's Wellingborough branch in the Swansgate centre was one of 32 to be closed immediately and will not be re-opened.

Products and posters were left in the branch's window advertising huge discounts of 60 per cent on some items of clothing but there was also a sign which said the store was now permanently closed.

The sale of the chain saved about 900 jobs and the company's stores in Corporation Street, Corby, and Gold Street, Kettering, are still in business.

However, the Corby branch was advertising a closing down sale in the run-up to Christmas and the property is on the market.

Mr Charlton said: "We are very pleased to be able to secure this deal and protect the employment of over 900 people in the stores and head office.

"We welcome the opportunity to take the business forward and look forward to a successful future."

The closure in Wellingborough is the latest blow to shopping in the town.

Woolworths in the town centre was due to close at the end of today.