Stores blow: Further 125 Comet branches to close

Published on 29/11/2012 00:00

Thousands of staff at stricken electricals chain Comet were dealt a 
pre-Christmas blow yesterday after administrators announced that a further 125 stores will close.

Deloitte said it would only keep the remaining 70 branches open until all remaining stock was sold. It confirmed it was still in talks with a “small number” of interested buyers, but said it was necessary to begin shutting shops in the absence of a firm offer for the whole business.

Deloitte also plans to 
close Comet’s distribution centre in Harlow, Essex, tomorrow and will cut 
back office functions at Clevedon, Hull and Rickmansworth.

The announcement came after hopes had been raised of a rescue deal after it emerged Southampton-based entrepreneur Clive Coombes was considering making a bid.

Some 5,000 employees work across the 195 Comet stores, including 700 in Scotland, with more than 3,000 jobs expected to be affected by the decision to shut 125 of the outlets.

Closures are likely to start next month.