FOCUS, the DIY chain, founded by a former boss at Crown Paints, Darwen, was last night set to go into administration.
Almost 4,000 jobs are at risk after Ernst and Young was appointed to the struggling firm. The Crewe-based company is in trouble after breaching its banking covenants.
Focus has 178 stores across the country, which employ more than 3,900 staff, including outlets in Burnley, Rawtenstall, and Blackburn.
The chain store was founded in 1987 by Bill Archer after he quit Crown Paints, Darwen, to set up a DIY store.
He bought Choice DIY and Focus and rebranded them, before later acquiring rivals, including Do It All and Great Mills.
In the 1990s, Mr Archer was chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion during a tumultuous period.
In 1996, hundreds of angry fans travelled to his home in Mellor, near Blackburn, to protest against his role.
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