Sad to see the 'closing down' signs go up at my local DIY store - Focus in Chard. Seemed to spend half of my life in there when I bought my house in Axminster five-or-so years' ago.
So, why has the Focus chain failed?
Off the top of my head, three things spring to mind:
1. A failure to adapt to the changing world of DIY, as B&Q and Homebase have done, by offering a wider and more contemporary range of homeware and soft furnishings.
2. The wishy-washy name. Think the 'Do It All' brand, from their own back catalogue, is ballsier.
3. The colour scheme. That dark blue always looked drab, whether on uniforms or signage. The yellow and blue would've looked much brighter and stronger reversed, with a nice, bright yellow as the main background colour.
Let's hope the staff get fixed up with alternative employment very soon.
Hello.
I'm Jane McIntyre, a Sony-winning BBC producer who asked to take the money and run. Now running, daily, and er... spending the money. Also, writing (recently runner-up in LateRooms travel blog competition) and working regularly as an 'extra' in TV, commercials and movies. Hurrah!
About Me
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Stembridge are a graphic design and web design company based in Axminster, a small market town in Devon, famous for its carpet-making and, these days, River Cottage.
We’re small, friendly and unpretentious - a bit like Axminster itself - and specialise in corporate identity and brand development for businesses in East Devon, South Somerset and West Dorset.
That said, we can turn our mind to pretty much anything - apart from (maybe) lion-taming - including business stationery, promotional items, marketing advice, websites and print management. Our design work is all carried out in-house, including any copywriting - ensuring cohesive results that will always sound right, as well as look right.