: Police called to store after angry mob of 30 gather outside after company goes into administration
2 Nov 2012 14:02
Worried staff who were preparing to reopen the store in Rotherham, dialled 999 as crowds began to gather shortly before lunchtime
PA
Police have been called to a Comet store after an angry mob of 30 people gathered outside a shop following news that the company is to go into administration.
Worried staff who were preparing to reopen the store in Parkgate, Rotherham, this afternoon, dialled 999 as crowds began to gather shortly before 1pm.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: "We received a call at 1.10pm of reports of people outside Comet. 30 people were outside the store because they had paid for items and were worried they would not be receiving them as the store has gone into administration.
"The manager opened the shop's doors at 1.30pm and the crowd went into the shop. No arrests were made."
The struggling electrical chain is set to launch a firesale of stock as it risks becoming the recession’s biggest high street casualty.
Administrators are expected to be appointed early next week in a desperate bid to find a buyer for the 79-year-old firm.
But with experts warning of slim chances of survival, prices could be slashed to raise as much money as possible for creditors.
Rumours were fuelled when the chain’s website was taken down last night.
Big reductions could send shockwaves through the industry in the run-up to Christmas.
Comet’s collapse will be a massive blow to its 6,500 remaining staff who have seen the chain lurch from one crisis to another.
Devastated workers at the 240 stores were told about the impending administration in an email today from chief executive Bob Darke, who said wages would be paid as normal “until further notice”.
However, he said they should not take orders for out-of-stock products.
John Hannett, of shopworkers’ union Usdaw, said: “This is disastrous news for Comet’s 6,500 employees and more grim news for the high street and economy.
full story http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/comet-police-called-to-store-after-1413143
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