LANCASHIRE: Variety retailer B&M has reached an agreement to buy 11 stores from failed Focus DIY. B&M Bargains runs 230 stores in Britain.

Focus DIY collapsed earlier this month and administrators at Ernst and Young has been offloading parts of the company's property portfolio ever since.

B&Q owner Kingfisher and market rival Wickes have purchasing 31 and 13 stores respectively. There are still over 100 of its stores to offload.

Focus administrator Ernst & Young has hired restructuring specialists to begin liquidating stock this week.