MORE than 30 Kendal jobs look to have been saved following an agreement between a troubled DIY chain and creditors.

Focus DIY, one of the country’s largest DIY chains, which has 180 stores across the UK - including one in Burton Road, Kendal, which employs 32 staff - was facing possible collapse after owing millions to landlords.

However, a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) between Focus and landlords of 38 vacant stores - to which the company was paying £12 million a year in rent to honour leases - has been accepted in return for a one-off £3.7 million payment.

Bill Grimsey, chief executive of Focus DIY, said: “We are very pleased with the outcomes of these meetings. Throughout this process we have engaged on a transparent basis with all our suppliers and landlords and we look forward to continue working with them over the years ahead.

“Trading is currently ahead of management expectations and with this CVA now firmly behind us we can concentrate on managing our existing open stores and buildings on this stable platform to offer the best service to all our customers, suppliers, employees and landlords.”