Former Athena franchisee Nalin Kiri has launched a fascia called ArtXpo

Former Athena franchisee Nalin Kiri has launched a fascia called ArtXpo. His stores at Bluewater, Lakeside, Norwich and Colchester have been re-badged with the identity. Kiri's company,Manage Limited, entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement with creditors after encountering financial difficulties while running the Athena franchises.

The new photos-and-frames shops offer a similar proposition to Athena, but plans to widen the merchandise assortment and develop the custom framing side of the business.

Separately, Athena's franchise-led growth continues nationwide. A new Edinburgh shop and an outlet in the Bullring development in Birmingham will open in September.