Wickes & Kingfisher reveal Focus DIY acquisitions

The administrator of failed Focus DIY has revealed the locations of the stores bought by Wickes, Kingfisher and B&M Bargains.

Ernst & Young, the administrator envisages staff at stores acquired by Wickes and B&M will transfer to their new owners as part of the individual transactions, but Kingfisher issued a separate statement saying that it is not yet certain how many shops will be acquired.

"The final number of stores is dependent on clearance from the regulatory authorities and satisfactory negotiations with landlords, said Ian Cheshire, Kingfisher's Group chief executive.

"A swift conclusion to this process would enable B&Q to take on all the staff at these stores," he said.

The majority of stores acquired by Wickes are in south of England locations such as Burgess Hill in Sussex and Chesham in Hertfordshire, but B&M's new properties are all in the north of England or Scotland.

Kingfisher purchased its news sites from Focus DIY's administrators for £23m and the stores it has chosen are located across the UK, including three in Wales and one in Scotland.

It will convert the properties into its B&Q format, adding to the 330 outlets already operating under this brand in the UK and Ireland.

Focus DIY stores acquired, subject to clearance are:

Kingfisher:

Ashington; Buxton, Cardigan; Chard; Consett; Devizes; Dorchester; Ebbw Vale; Rhyd-Y-Blew; Fakenham; Gainsborough; Goole; Harrogate; Haverhill; Huntingdon; Kendal; Leominster; Leven; Louth; Malvern; Melton Mowbray; Newark-on-Trent; Pembroke; Shepton Mallet; Skegness; Spalding; Stroud; Sudbury; Thetford; Uttoxeter and Witney.

Wickes:

Beverley; Bishops Stortford; Burgess Hill; Chesham; Hailsham; Hertford; Hinckley; Maldon; Nuneaton; Rushden; Tunstall; West Wickham and Winsford.

B&M:

Alloa; Bathgate; Brownhills; Burnley; Coalville; Cramlington; Darlington; Dunfermline; Leek; Shipley and Skipton.

Source : Builders Merchant News
www.buildersmerchantsnews.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4260/Wickes_and_Kingfisher_reveal_Focus_DIY_acquisitions_.html