Following a review of the business, DIY chain calls staff to attend store meetings to hear details of redundancies.
Despite reports by The Sun that 600 employees could face the chop, diyweek.net can reveal that the figure is more in the region of 750 after the company released an official statement.

Focus blames a 'difficult economic climate' for its decision, despite the retail chain gaining market share throughout the summer.

As part of the move to reduce costs and 'deliver greater efficiencies', Focus will also close its distribution centre in Severnside, Bristol, and redundancies will take place at its headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire.

In the statement, the company said: "This review of the whole business has unfortunately resulted in a reduced headcount throughout the support centre, stores and distribution centres and a number of colleagues are at risk of redundancy."

It concluded: "Making redundancies is a difficult decision but one that has been necessary to ensure the future of the business and take forward our strategic plan.

"We have provided a full briefing to all those potentially affected and will now work closely with them to look for alternative roles within the business. We will create a job pool and offer retraining and further support programmes over the coming months."