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Discount supermarket chain Kwik Save is set to close a further 22 stores in the UK in what shop worker unions describe as a "deeply distressing blow".

Last month the troubled retailer announced the closure of 79 stores, making hundreds of workers redundant in the process.

Kwik Save later reopened 20 of these outlets after deciding they could in fact be profitable.

Retail union Usdaw says it is seeking an "urgent meeting" with Kwik Save management to discuss the closures.

"Staff arrived at the stores this morning to be told they were being made redundant and that the stores will close today and we will again make it clear to Kwik Save that this is not the way to treat hard working staff who have shown great loyalty to the company in very difficult circumstances," said the union's national officer Joanne McGuinness.

A statement from Kwik Save issued at the time of the initial closures said: "In order to enable the business to succeed, the Kwik Save management team has had to announce these cutbacks to secure the future of the business."

Amid competition from budget food lines in Tesco and Asda, the retailer's share of supermarket spending in Britain slipped from 1.2 per cent in 2006 to just 0.2 per cent this year, according to retail analysts.

In February Kwik Save said it had secured a £50 million rescue package from a private consortium, but last month Arla Foods stopped delivering milk to the firm because of "payment problems".

"Usdaw will also be talking to Kwik Save about their strategy for the remaining stores and how they intend to resolve serious issues within the supply chain which has left some stores with little stock," Ms McGuinness continued.

"We want to know how they intend to fully supply those stores plus the 20 stores they intend to reopen next week so our members can compete with their competitors on a level playing field."