Staff facing redundancy at collapsed electrical chain Comet have been delivered another blow with the news that they will not be allowed to keep cash donated in stores by sympathetic customers.
Administrator Deloitte has decided that the money shoppers hoped would make for a somewhat happier Christmas for Comet employees should instead go to charity.

A spokesman for Deloitte told diyweek.net: "There were a number of stores that informally placed collection boxes on the till points. We had to look at whether these donations should be treated as pay or tips and if so, what the implications would be in terms of PAYE and NIC for the staff.

"As a result, it was felt appropriate that the money be donated to the company's charity partner. All money collected will be donated to charity and does not form part of the returns to creditors."

He said he did not know how much money was involved, but Comet's charity is believed to be SportsAid.

The news will come as a final knockback for the 5,000-odd Comet workers who have lost or are set to lose their jobs this month with the closure of 125 more stores. Over 40 were also axed in November.

Read more in the December 14 2012 issue of DIY Week