Coventry's Comet stores to avoid first cull

Buy photos » Comet on the Alvis retail park. 45.012.017.cov.jm1

THE two Comet stores in the city are clinging onto survival.

Deloitte, the administrators for the collapsed electrical goods company, said 41 Comet stores nationwide will shut by the end of November unless a buyer can be found for the business in the meantime.

But only the details of 27 shops under threat of closure have been released so far with the remaining 14 locations expected to be announced shortly.

Comet at Alvis Retail Park and Gallagher Retail Park will remain open for now, although their long-term future remains uncertain, and discounts have been increased further.

Hundreds of staff face losing their jobs as part of the closure of 41 of the 236 shops but some employees may be moved to stores elsewhere while others will be made redundant.

The administrators are continuing to hold discussions with parties who have expressed an interest in parts of the business.

Chris Farrington, one of the joint administrators from Deloitte, said: "We are very grateful to the company's employees for their professionalism, loyalty and support at this difficult time and all employees will of course continue to be paid for all the work they do while the company is in administration."

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