FOCUS in Rawtenstall has ceased to trade and I’m sad for a number of reasons, firstly because people have lost their jobs and because it means that yet another big retail unit will stand empty - who knows for how long.

I driven past a few times over the last couple of weeks the closing-down sale has been raging on, the car-park has been fit to bursting.

I know it is human nature to look for bargains but I could not help thinking that if just half of these ‘bargain-hunters’ had supported Focus, it would not be shutting down.

The closure will also have a knock on effect with the both the Valley Centre and the empty units at New Hall Hey.

I can imagine that another budget food retailer will attempt to get planning permission, something which I will fight that with every tool available to me.

What is more likely is that we will get a £1 store operation - having said that the Winners outlet in the old Kwiksave is actually a very good store.

All is not lost on the DIY front though; in Waterfoot we have the wonderful and friendly Fletchers Hardware.

Unknown to many but the building trade, it is a real hardware store in every sense.

I was a regular customer of Focus and whenever I started one of my ill-fated DIY projects I would always seek the advice of a guy down at Focus (thin with glasses aged about 50).

He was one of the most incredibly friendly and knowledge people I have ever come across.

The one thing I am most sorry about is that I never ever really took the time to say how much I appreciated his help.

When all of the hyenas, sorry ‘bargain-hunters’, have gone I must go in and tell him.