Focus DIY entered receivership on the 5th May 2011 with a risk of closure over all the stores as the assets of the company are realised as part of the administration process.
The Harrogate Focus store has remained trading although they have not been receiving new stock.
Kingfisher plc has announced that following the appointment of the administrators at Focus DIY Limited and Do It All Limited it has agreed to buy up to 31 leasehold properties for £23 million in cash. B&Q, Kingfisher’s largest UK subsidiary, plans to start the process of refitting the vacant properties and opening them as new B&Q stores later in the year.
Commenting on the announcement Ian Cheshire, Kingfisher’s Group Chief Executive, said:
“This is a good opportunity for us to accelerate our previously announced plans to expand B&Q into carefully targeted UK locations where we currently have no store representation. This will bring better choice and lower prices to customers and provide secure jobs and career prospects in these local communities.”
A spokesperson for Kingfisher has said today (24 May 2011) that it is not currently clear which of the existing Focus DIY and Do It All stores will be be bought and transitioned to a B&Q.
