Guiseley Comet has closed with the loss of 16 jobs as the company’s stores across the country are axed.

The Guiseley shop became one of the latest to fall victim on Monday as more and more of the electrical retail outlets are shut down.

The company is running an employee-assistance programme to help staff find new jobs.

Closures are taking place at a total of 125 stores around the country in a process expected to take several weeks. The remaining 70 stores will close once all remaining stock is sold.

Joint administrator Chris Farrington, from Deloitte, said: “We remain in discussions with a small number of interested parties and hope a positive outcome can still be achieved.  Should any acceptable offers be received for stores we will delay the closure process.”

He added: “We remain extremely grateful to employees for their commitment during a period of concern and anxiety for them.”

Guiseley councillor Graham Latty said: “I am sorry to see them go. It was quite nice having competition between Currys and Comet – but I never really did see the point of having two identical stores side by side.”

He stressed the area could not take another store such as TK Maxx, which many people believe has increased congestion in Guiseley. “Whatever replaces Comet it needs to be something that people want as opposed to some place that wants people.”