Focus DIY Closing Down (merged)

highguyuk

Siberian wrote: »

Staff employed in stores transferring to another DIY retailer have to be offered employment on the same terms under the government's T.U.P.E. laws. It's in the new employer's interests to keep local staff who have some knowledge already and probably some local customer loyalty.

TUPE laws surely don't apply in these cases though? Focus in the end of the day are shutting down their shops - and the new stores are just buying them off them.

Homebase aren't taking over Focus.

Tomomcd

The old range of kitchens are being sold off at 70% off instore

They are though selling the display units for the kitchens with a further 50% off at the moment making it around 85% off total

Towards the end of january 20th onwards perhaps? or possibly earlier they will go to a futher 75% off after the 70%

Though if they start getting desperate they can be reduced to 90% off after the 50% at the managers discretion!

MattInAndover

Siberian wrote: »

Staff employed in stores transferring to another DIY retailer have to be offered employment on the same terms under the government's T.U.P.E. laws. It's in the new employer's interests to keep local staff who have some knowledge already and probably some local customer loyalty.

highguyuk wrote: »

TUPE laws surely don't apply in these cases though? Focus in the end of the day are shutting down their shops - and the new stores are just buying them off them.

Well the offer that was put forward to Andover store (not sure about others but I assume it would be the same), was that you transfer to the new store under same conditions and rate of pay as the closing store, after 4 weeks you can either take your redundancy and leave the company, or sign a new contract under the new stores conditions and rate of pay.

Siberian wrote: »

As with all situations like this it's best to be positive and enthusiastic as a new owner is always looking for new stars to rely on (that's why they tend to bring in people they've learned to trust elsewhere).

True, I am 1 of 2 of the staff that has been transferred and I have already noticed a huge difference in the manner of the store. I am being fork-lift trained at the end of the month and have been given some responsibilities in areas of the store from day 1, which wouldn't normally happen. So far so good.

Tomomcd wrote: »

The old range of kitchens are being sold off at 70% off instore

They are though selling the display units for the kitchens with a further 50% off at the moment making it around 85% off total

Towards the end of january 20th onwards perhaps? or possibly earlier they will go to a futher 75% off after the 70%

Though if they start getting desperate they can be reduced to 90% off after the 50% at the managers discretion!

This is true, I only found out this when I moved to my new store, I am not sure when the old range has to be gone by, but some of the displays have already been sold. And it was on 66% off since I joined focus over 8 months ago.

Helix

If a store has been removed from the store finder on the website does that mean it has closed or have they just removed those that are closing to save confusion.

Siberian

highguyuk wrote: »

TUPE laws surely don't apply in these cases though? Focus in the end of the day are shutting down their shops - and the new stores are just buying them off them.

Homebase aren't taking over Focus.

Well, I would have thought that if the store closed without a buyer and then months later Homebase applied and bought it that might be so. However, in this case it looks like the handover is almost immediate and I believe TUPE applies in that case. I don't believe Focus or Homebase would have to have the government apply the rules anyway - as I said it's in both their interests to transfer staff.
When Do It All sold Washington, Stoke and four other stores to the old Focus in the 90s, all the staff went across and that wasn't a takeover.

SPUD-T-D

anyone know the colchester store as it cant be long now

firespire

SPUD-T-D wrote: »

anyone know the colchester store as it cant be long now

Posted earlier
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=7490095&postcount=213
March

bluedog

I went to the Banbury store yesterday and they have a sign up offering temporary employment! It doesn't give any idea how long the positions are for unfortunately ...... and I forgot to ask !

It doesn't have much stock left in any department, but I did hear whispers that it is being used as a clearance outlet for stock from other stores that have actually closed.

The whispers also said that all announcements are being made on Fox FM for this store, as said by someone earlier. Rumours also say that if a buyer comes in, then that will be that, it will close, but other than that, it may be open until early march. Think I'll be listening to Fox FM ...

catt_2

Does anyone know of any stores in the SE or London that have the reduced price kitchens in stock?

I'd like to get an ex display one if possible. Looking at the Focus website my preference is for the Oslo range, followed by Windsor or Shrigley. I don't need many units but would like to get the oak laminate worktop too.

Otherwise I'm off to Ikea....:rolleyes:

blingbabe

just been to my local one in rochdale, not much bargains to be had at the moment will try again in a couple of weeks