Following the announcement by Kingfisher on 6 May of its agreement to buy up to 31 Focus stores from the administrators for £23 million, and the announcement on 25 May by the administrators regarding the remaining Focus business, Kingfisher today confirms the list of the potential stores.
The Harrogate store is in the list to be acquired.
Kingfisher plc is Europe’s leading home improvement retail group and the third largest in the world, with 860 stores in eight countries in Europe and Asia. Its main retail brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix. Kingfisher also has a 50% joint venture business in Turkey with the Koç Group, and a 21% interest in, and strategic alliance with Hornbach, Germany’s leading large format DIY retailer.
Ian Cheshire, Kingfisher’s Group Chief Executive, said:-
“We hope to be able to bring B&Q’s choice, convenience and value to these communities as soon as possible. However, the final number of stores is dependent on clearance from the regulatory authorities and satisfactory negotiations with landlords. A swift conclusion to this process would enable B&Q to take on all the staff at these stores.”
List of stores:-
- Louth
- Melton Mowbray
- Newark
- Skegness
- Huntingdon
- Spalding
- Buxton
- Uttoxeter
- Harrogate
- Gainsborough
- Goole
- Fakenham
- Sudbury
- Thetford
- Haverhill
- Witney
- Leven
- Kendal
- Ashington
- Consett
- Malvern
- Cardigan
- Ebbw Vale
- Pembroke Dock
- Devizes
- Leominster
- Stroud
- Chard
- Dorchester
- Shepton Mallet
- Launceston
Excellent news. Healthy competition: maybe now Homebase will sort out their horrendous trolley fleet, tidy up the store and start taking care of their stock.
New trolleys are already on their way to Homebase a little bird tells me!
Excellent news – B&Q are the best diy store group. Now for some REAL lines.