Collapsed electricals retailer Comet attracts bid for 140 stores

The bidder, a property tycoon, has not been named but administrator Deloitte have “accepted an outline deal” , an insider told The Sun.

Deloitte’s deadline for initial bids was November 14.

The deal would save 140 stores out of the remaining 195 Comet stores, saving more than 2,000 jobs.

The insider said: “It’s in the hands of the legal people. There’s room for things to go wrong but everyone is hoping it comes off.”

Believed to be based in Bournemouth, the tycoon is also thought to have links to fridges, freezers and dishwashers distributor Euronics.

Meanwhile, owner of etailer Appliances Online DRL is vying to pick up the rights to trade the Comet name online before too much damage is done to the brand.

DRL chief executive John Roberts, who Retail-Week.com revealed had submitted a seven figure sum for the website said: “We would hope to be able to run the Comet brand online but that will depend on whether we are able to rescue the brand before too much damage is done through the administration process.  

“However, Appliances Online’s reputation for outstanding customer service and value combined with the Comet brand’s resonance and recall would make for a powerful force online.”

Comet is advertising a raft of Closing Down Sales across it Scottish stores. Full page adverts were pubished in Scottish newspapers to publicise ‘Everything Must Go’ Sales, with discounts up to 60% advertised, at 11 stores across the countries.

The applicable stores are in Glasgow Forge, Galashiels, Coatbridge, Uddington, Dumfries, Perth, Stirling, Hamilton, Dundee, Aberdeen and Kirkcaldy.