Focus to make cuts

DIY chain Focus is planning to cut jobs as it faces up to the slump in the housing market.

The business, which has its headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire, said it needed to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

A distribution centre near Bristol will close and up to 750 jobs are “at risk”, but the business insisted it is trading well and has gained market share.

In a statement it said: “In a direct response to our need to reduce costs and deliver greater efficiencies we have made the difficult decision to close our distribution centre in Severnside, Bristol.

“Focus DIY confirms that, circa 750 employees are at risk across its support centres, stores and distribution centres.”

Focus was bought by the private equity group Cerberus last year after racking up debts of £174m.

Cerberus drafted in retail veterans Bill Grimsey and Bill Hoskins who led a turnaround of the DIY chain Wickes in the 1990s.