Chief executive Steve Johnson said the company had traded well over the last two years “against the background of a difficult market”. Latest sales figures show the company had outperformed the market by 3.5%.

Focus said a sale was one of a number of options that it was considering as it seeks to restructure its finances. “We will be evaluating all options to achieve this goal,” added Mr Johnson.

Established in 1987, Focus Do It All merged with Wickes in 2000 but later sold the business to Travis Perkins in 2005.