Comet administrator chops 330 jobs

Deloitte's talks with potential suitors continue

Deloitte is cutting over 300 jobs at Comet as it confirmed several parties are interested in picking up at least a piece of the fallen retail colossus.

A week after being appointed as Comet's administrator, Deloitte announced late on Friday that it is making 330 employees redundant, most of whom work at its head office or support and call centres.

No cuts are being made on the shop floor or its distribution centres, Deloitte stressed.

Neville Kahn, joint administrator, said: "All 236 Comet stores continue to trade as normal, and staff will continue to be paid for the work they do while Comet is trading in administration.

"We remain extremely grateful to the staff and management for their continued loyalty and support at what is clearly a very difficult time."

Kahn added that Deloitte was pleased with the response to the fire sale that began last Thursday, despite criticism from shoppers that the discounts on offer are relatively miserly.

"We are in discussions with a number of parties who have expressed interest in parts of the business and we continue to work hard to preserve jobs," he added.

Rival Dixons last week offered a lifeline to Comet staff by delaying the process for its Christmas recruitment drive to accommodate their applications.

Comet's demise has also inevitably hit suppliers, one of which last week penned a blog expressing some unease at how quickly the retailer ate through the £50m "dowry" supplied by previous owner Kesa.

All employees who have been made redundant will be paid in full for wages accrued during the administration, Deloitte said.