Administrator axes 330 jobs at collapsed Comet

The administrator to Comet has made more than 300 of the failed electricals chain's staff redundant, although its stores remain open for a "massive stock liquidation".

Deloitte, the accountancy firm, continues to talk to parties interested in parts of the retailer but has been forced to axe 330 jobs in Comet's head office and support functions in Rickmansworth, Hull and Clevedon.

The 236-store chain collapsed into administration last week, just nine months after OpCapita acquired it for a token £2.

It is feared that most of Comet's 6,600 staff could eventually lose their jobs, although Deloitte said "there are no further redundancies planned".

Deloitte said the stock liquidation, which started on Thursday, had generated "record levels of sales" so far. It is understood that Shop Direct, the home shopping group, is interested in acquiring Comet's brand and website. Shop Direct bought the Woolworths brand from Deloitte in early 2009 and relaunched the chain as an online retailer.

A host of retailers from the single price chain 99p Stores to the homewares specialist Dunelm are looking to pick up small parcels of Comet's stores.

GA Europe, the retail restructuring firm, is running the liquidation sale.