Recently closed Farnborough Comet
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Website launched to help staff at closed Comet
By Amy TaylorJanuary 04, 2013
A WEBSITE has been launched to help staff from Comet in Farnborough find work following the store’s closure.
The branch of the electrical goods retailer in Farnborough Gate Retail Park closed on December 18, one of 49 stores to do so on that day, after the company had gone into administration.
The website for former staff, who now face the prospect of finding new work, has been launched this month to advertise similar vacancies and help them with their job hunt.
Deloitte LLP, which took control of Comet nationwide in November, said on December 6 that discussions with ‘interested parties’ were still ongoing and the 37 full- and part-time staff at the Farnborough store were told to continue to turn up for work as normal until further notice.
They had to leave their posts less than two weeks later.
Final sales and reductions of at least 50% on most stock ensured as much as possible was sold over the final few trading days.
Chris Farrington, one of four joint administrators at Deloitte LLP, confirmed that help would be given to all former staff members across the country.
“We wish to express our gratitude for the professionalism and dedication of all employees across the store network, head office and other support functions during what has clearly been a difficult period for them,” he said.
“We have put in place a series of support measures to help redundant workers find new employment, including establishing contact with more than 25 prospective employers and setting up a LinkedIn network through which many of these companies are advertising positions.
“We will also be organising employment fairs around the country in the new year.”
Mr Farrington said a website, www.cometjobs.co.uk, had details of vacancies at prospective employers, upcoming employment fairs and advice on CV writing and interview techniques.
Comet announced it was going into administration last November 2 while Deloitte attempted to find a buyer for the business. In the absence of an acceptable offer for the Comet brand as a whole, the joint administrators confirmed all remaining stores would close.
“Despite significant efforts to find a buyer the administrators did not receive an acceptable offer and so unfortunately it
has become necessary to close the remaining stores,” said Mr Farrington.
“Although we had discussions with a number of interested parties the substantial working capital requirements to fund the business was a significant concern for these parties and was a key factor in preventing a deal being reached.”
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