General merchandise retailer hopes to takes on leases of "a handful" of properties occupied by collapsed DIY chain to help with its own expansion plans.
However, B&M is not interested in acquiring the leases from administrators Ernst & Young and plans to go direct to the landlords. Joint managing director Simon Arora told DIY Week: "We're interested in hearing from landlords who have had the properties handed back to them. I think a very large number will be handed back. Landlords can contact our property acquisitions manager Steve Rought-Whitta."

The move will help B&M, which stocks home accessories and textiles, electricals, seasonal goods and housewares, continue its ongoing store opening programme. "We plan to open 100 stores this year," said Mr Arora. "We foresee a handful of them being ex-Focus."

The firm is no stranger to snapping up the real estate of struggling retailers, having taken on eight Kwik Save stores in 2007 when the discount chain went bust.

Last year B&M strengthened its portfolio with the acquisition of Opus Homewares Ltd for £48m, adding 36 Opus outlets to its existing estate of 200. The move also saw the retail extend its reach into Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The family-run retail chain, which posted a turnover of £427m in 2009, operates more than 230 stores across the UK.