Stricken Comet's Aylesford store last to close in Kent today
Comet's Aylesford store
is the final one in Kent to close today
Kent's final Comet store closes for
the last time today after administrators failed to find a
buyer.
The electricals retailer has already shut seven branches in the
county with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
The Aylesford branch is among 50 remaining stores trading
for the final time today.
Administrators at Deloitte confirmed the last day comes after
failing to find a buyer for the chain.
It said in a report it remained in talks over the sale of
internet operations and the brand.
However, it said the taxpayer will have to meet a bill of almost
£50million for unpaid redundancy and tax payments.
Stores in Gravesend, Folkestone, Canterbury, Margate, Tunbridge
Wells, Ashford and Rochester have already closed.
The collapse of Comet is one of the biggest High Street
disasters since the closure of Woolworths in 2008.
Before it was plunged into administration, Comet - which has
been badly hit by online competition and the economic downturn -
had 240 stores and around 6,000 staff.
It was bought for just £2 less than a year ago by private
investment firm OpCapita, but it is thought to have made losses of
£35million.
Are you sad to see Comet go? Join the debate below.
18/12/12
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