Focus jobs fears as closing down starts

Eleventh-hour talks are under way in a bid to help save the jobs of hundreds of West Midlands workers at failed Focus DIY. The firm is shedding 3,000 jobs across the country.

Administrators announced it could not find a buyer for the business. Although buyers for 55 of the company's 178 stores have been found, the future of premises in the region is unknown.

A worker told the Express & Star that the Brownhills branch was the only one that had struck a deal to remain open.

But administrators Ernst & Young insist no individual stores have been earmarked for closure. It today made clear discussions with potential buyers are ongoing and that any offers that could save the stores and protect jobs would be considered.

Closing down sales began today — yet workers still remain in the dark about where the axe will fall.

Clive Newbury, manager of the Wolverhampton store in Stafford Street, said: "We have started a closing down sale at 8am today but we haven't been given any details about when we will be closing.

"We have 18 full and parttime staff here and they will go unless more of the stores are purchased by B&Q or Wickes. If someone buys the business it will depend on the terms and conditions."

Focus DIY, owned by a private equity group, fell into administration earlier this month after it failed to pay off debts.

Yesterday it was revealed a total of 3,000 jobs are set to go nationally, with a possible 200 in the West Midlands hanging in the balance.

Up to 900 jobs have been safeguarded by the buyout of 178 shops.

Kingfisher, owner of B&Q, has acquired 31 branches for £23 million, and plans to open them as B&Q stores, while the owner of Wickes, Travis Perkins, has bought 13 stores.