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Stricken Comet's Aylesford store last to close in Kent today

By: Danny Boyle

Published: 09:00, 18 December 2012

Updated: 09:25, 18 December 2012

Comet in Aylesford

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.

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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.

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