TAVISTOCK'S Focus store will be closed down in weeks, after it was announced that a buyer could not be found for the Focus Group's remaining 120 stores.

Three thousand jobs will go, including 23 in Tavistock, and closing down sales have begun.

The firm went into administration four weeks ago and buyers have been found for 55 stores in three separate deals with Kingfisher plc, which owns B&Q, B&M Homemaker and Wickes Building Supplies. The Launceston store has been bought by Kingfisher plc.

Administrators at Ernst and Young said they hoped to secure the sale of further stores with the transfer of associated employees, but the stock liquidation was likely to result in a number of Focus stores closing with remaining employees being made redundant.

Simon Allport, joint administrator said: 'We have been working hard to sell the business as a going concern and to maximise value for creditors. While we have been successful in securing up to 900 jobs from the sale of 55 stores in three separate deals, finding a buyer for the whole business has not been possible.

'UK retailers are facing one of the most challenging retail environments in recent times and the DIY sector has become highly competitive with only the strongest players being able to thrive and survive.

'Employees will be offered appropriate support and advice throughout the redundancy process and Jobcentre Plus representatives will be providing support to help find future employment.

'We would like to thank all Focus DIY employees for their continued support in what has been a difficult and uncertain time.'

Focus blamed the recession and housing slump for its problems. Hopes are high in Tavistock that there will be a buyer for the prime Focus site on the Plymouth and supermarket giant Sainsbury's has confirmed it will be looking at the site.

A spokesman for Sainsbury's said: 'We've appraised the Focus store for its suitability as a Sainsbury's in the past and we will do so again.

'We would like to have a store in Tavistock and we are always interested in considering opportunities to make Sainsbury's offer more available to customers.'

The supermarket's proposal to build on land at Plymouth Road was rejected by West Devon Borough Council and turned down on appeal two years ago on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the town centre and the site was designated for employment land not retail.