Comet's Ashford store is among those in Kent under threat

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Many more jobs are at risk after administrators of stricken electricals retailer Comet warned a further 125 stores will close soon unless a last-minute buyer is found.

Deloitte said the closure process would begin in December and leave about 70 stores staying open until remaining stock is sold. Administrators have not yet named the stores under threat.

Kent stores are in Ashford, Aylesford, Rochester, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Folkestone and Gravesend. The Margate store closed earlier this month.

Before it collapsed 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.

Further jobs are going in the company's business support functions at Rickmansworth, Hull and Clevedon.

Administrator Chris Farrington said: "We remain in discussions with a small number of interested parties and hope that a positive outcome can still be achieved. Should any acceptable offers be received for stores we will delay the closure process.

"Unfortunately, in the absence of a firm offer for the whole of the business, it has become necessary to begin making plans in case a sale is not concluded.

"If a sale is not possible we would envisage stores to begin closing in December."

He added the company was helping redundant staff find other jobs and was working with more than 35 prospective employers willing to offer roles to ex-Comet employees.