Jobs woe as Focus DIY to close

SCORES of employees at failed retail chain Focus DIY are set to lose their jobs as administrators begin to close the business.

While 55 shops have been sold in three separate deals, safeguarding some 900 jobs, Ernst & Young has been unable to find a buyer for the rest of the Crewe-based business, which employed 3,920 people before the insolvency.

Retail consultants Gordon Brothers have been brought in to advise on the sale of all the stock in the shops “with a view to closing down the retail chain”, E&Y said in a statement.

The closing down sale will begin this weekend. E&Y are hopeful of further store sales – which would secure some jobs – but concede there will be redundancies.

The firm said: “While the Administrators are continuing negotiations for the sale of a number of stores across the Group, the stock liquidation is likely to result in a number of Focus stores closing with remaining employees going through a redundancy process.

Simon Allport, joint administrator said, “We have been working hard to sell the business as a going concern and to maximise value for creditors.

“While we have been successful in securing up to 900 jobs from the sale of 55 stores in three separate deals, finding a buyer for the whole of the business has not been possible.

“UK retailers are facing one of the most challenging retail environments in recent times and the DIY sector has become highly competitive, with only the strongest players being able to thrive and survive.”