3,000 jobs face axe at DIY firm

UP TO 3,000 jobs are at risk at a DIY retail chain after administrators said they have failed to find a buyer for the group.

Ernst & Young said it was continuing talks with possible buyers of some of the stores in the Focus chain, but warned the process of job cuts looks set to start.

The administrators would not say how many jobs were at risk in Scotland. Focus has stores in several Scottish cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Administrators were called in after the chain defaulted on its credit facility, blaming the economic downturn and a weak housing market.