Topic ID 5953
The BBC are reporting that Focus DIY are going into administration. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13283501 I can't say I'm surprised. In fact I'm surprised they've lasted as long as they have. It's entirely self-inflicted. Their logistics and stock control have always been dreadful. Items out of stock all over the place. Every empty peg or shelf is a lost sale. Sad for the staff but hopefully will benefit Botsford.
Reply ID 81009
Sad news.. I have always found the staff so helpful and friendly especially the girls/ladies on the tills. I really hope they manage to get new jobs. I found the shop really useful and have used it a lot for so many things. I hope a similar shop takes up residence there as it will drive more shoppers out of the town and into the bigger retail parks. Good news for Botsfords though, but no where that I know of to just park and pop in there.
Reply ID 81011
Administration doesn't necessarily mean they will close down.
Reply ID 81012
no carlos - we can only hope it means that! I can't see what they'd do with such a big empty unit though. Perhaps they'll split it like they did in waltham abbey when mfi closed. Maybe nandos will open with a drivethru!
Reply ID 81013
I would rather have the store than not; although I have most things in my garage there's often something I don't have and Focus is closer than WGC or Harlow. And I have just got my over 55 / 10% off card .....
Reply ID 81015
I find my trips there entertaining. I went to buy a shed once and was told 'Shed person is on a break'. I was momentarily confused by this information but persevered and they found someone who answered my questions with "Dunno, I am on powertools". It became a mission to buy a shed from this company because they clearly didn't want to sell me one. I do find them very useful though as opening hours convenient (I work in London) and parking is easy and free.
Reply ID 81016
it would be nice if they opened a small B&Q like the one in Harlow
Reply ID 81018
I have always found Focus Do It All to have a poor range of stock and to be somewhat more expensive than their competitors who are further afield. If I need to choose a product from a range, such as the jigsaw I needed to buy last week, I would go to a large B&Q or the Screwfix in Harlow. Even Homebase at Oldings Corner has a better range.
Reply ID 81022
dont forget the screwfix in welwyn - much closer!
Reply ID 81026
quote:Agreed.....only the Harlow store is on my way to and from work.
Originally posted by codek2
dont forget the screwfix in welwyn - much closer!
Reply ID 81030
quote:Thirded..And good discounts for account holders
Originally posted by codek2
dont forget the screwfix in welwyn - much closer!
Reply ID 81039
Unfortunately i paid £600 for a bedroom suite from Focus DIY last week, luckily by credit card. some of it was not in stock so i went down the store yesterday to see how the land lied. Was told that as of 7.00am 5/5/11 Ernst and Young were the administrators and that Focus DIY no longer existed, that they couldn't release my goods from the store, and couldn't authorise a refund! Obviously i was a little peeved as they were still trading as normal, apparently you can still buy their goods but can't claim a refund! They were not making customers aware of this situation at the tills while i was there, and most of them didn't even seem to know that Focus DIY are in administration. I felt it my duty to inform some of my fellow customers of the current situation as most of them had probably missed the miniscule small print notice at the entrance...very sneaky...and was promptly invited to leave the premises! No doubt my goods will be sold on and the proceeds used to pay off the premier creditors leaving Joe public with Jack ****e as usual! End of rant. Why can't i be the windscreen for once...instead of the bug.
Reply ID 81040
quote:Oh what a surprise
Originally posted by sprocket
... some of it was not in stock
Reply ID 81066
Dare I say it.... The County Cinema moving almost back home, albeit 100 yards or so [?]
Reply ID 81069
From there website: Existing customer orders Goods for existing customer orders may only be collected from store if the customer: Has paid for the goods; and Holds a valid receipt for those goods; and Has been advised by the store that the goods are in stock and have been reserved for customer collection. Goods for existing customer orders where a deposit has been paid may only be collected from the store if: The customer has been advised by the store that the goods are in stock and have been reserved for customer collection; and The deposit paid is not more than 5% of the purchase price; and The full balance of the purchase price is paid. At this stage we cannot deliver goods where customers have placed orders for home delivery. At this stage we are unable give a refund on any outstanding customer orders. Please advise us in writing at the address below of any outstanding orders that you have.
Reply ID 81070
quote:Coincidence - first thing that crossed my mind, too
Originally posted by James007
Dare I say it.... The County Cinema moving almost back home, albeit 100 yards or so [?]
Reply ID 81101
B&Q bought 31 of the stores on Friday afternoon http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13315837 Let's hope that the Hertford store was among them, I've been informed that it is a profitable store.
Reply ID 81113
I see Travis Perkins and The Range are also interested in acquiring stores.
Reply ID 81115
I'd be happy with any of them as long as it meant saving jobs.
Reply ID 81378
Hopefully the result will be we get smething useful instead. There was never a company which so deserved to fail as Focus. Their history in Hertford has been a slide from inadequate to useless.
Reply ID 81381
I understand it is becoming a Wickes
Reply ID 81385
it is indeed becoming wickes, and all staff retained
Reply ID 81386
quote:Everyone's a winner.
Originally posted by glees
it is indeed becoming wickes, and all staff retained
Reply ID 81387
quote:Except possibly the new owners of Bostford's ...............
Originally posted by Stevequote:Everyone's a winner.
Originally posted by glees
it is indeed becoming wickes, and all staff retained
Reply ID 81458
Botsfords has existed whilst Focus were in Ware Rd. As long as the current proprietors exercise the same level of charm and knowledge as Stuart Purser did in the past; they'll still be trading in 20 years.
Reply ID 81485
Went there today, massive posters all over the place saying "Closing Down" "Everything must go"! Does this still mean they are retaining the staff? Didn't say anything about re-opening under a different name.
Reply ID 81486
quote:Technically that's correct. Focus DIY is closing down. The leashold property has been bought by Wickes, who will open a store there, employing the staff previously engaged by Focus DIY. http://news.wickes.co.uk/wickes-owner-buys-13-focus-stores-1937 This differs from B&Q's arrangement with the administrators. They have simply bought the stores and staff will have to apply for the jobs offered by the new store.
Originally posted by buzz
Went there today, massive posters all over the place saying "Closing Down" "Everything must go"! Does this still mean they are retaining the staff? Didn't say anything about re-opening under a different name.
Reply ID 81487
Yes,I was in there today as well.I asked the girl on the till,and she said that Wickes are retaining the staff and once they have sold all their stock they will change over to Wickes
Reply ID 81488
The freeholder will have to do some car park reconfigurations as it is bad enough with a small car trying to get in and out. Wickes is a good addition to the town.
Reply ID 81970
has this closed down yet?
Reply ID 81974
It was still open on Sunday - mainly paint left, at half price!
Reply ID 82361
When is Wickes open....any ideas ?
Reply ID 82681
Any news yet on when Wickes will open?
Reply ID 82683
quote:Seemingly not. The shopfitters are in though.
Originally posted by gemipicorn
Any news yet on when Wickes will open?
Reply ID 82797
The building is all branded with logo's and signs etc now....
Reply ID 82807
There is something in todays Mercury, not had chance to read it yet.
Reply ID 82871
Looks like Wickes will be opening 3rd Sept.
Reply ID 82872
I've started a new thread as the O/P has run it's course http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=6135