B&M Bargains buys Focus stores

The Liverpool-based discount retail chain is the latest to purchase stores from the collapsed DIY retailer.

B&M Retail, trading as B&M Bargains, has agreed to buy 11 stores, together with associated employees.

Ernst & Young, administrators of Focus Group, did not disclose the cost of the sale.

Simon Allport, joint administrator, said: "We are delighted to have completed another sale of Focus stores, securing a further 211 of jobs."

B&M Retail's deal follows those agreed with Kingfisher, owner of B&Q, which acquired 31 stores, and DIY and home improvement company Wickes's purchase of 13 stores.

Focus DIY fell into administration at the start of May after defaulting on a loan. The company operated from 178 stores and employed 3,920 staff.