In 1998, the business was sold to Focus DIY, which itself entered administration in 2011, with all its stores closing later that year.
All stores had an inhouse timber cutting service, and all but the smallest had in-store concessions for businesses such as Harris Carpets.
As a result, WHSmith and Boots each owned 50% of the combined group, and the Payless stores were rebranded under the Do It All brand.
However, following continued losses, WHSmith sold their share in the company to Boots in 1996 for the token amount of £1.
[2] Boots, wanting to concentrate on its core pharmacy businesses, sold the 139 Do It All stores to Focus DIY in 1998 for £68 million.