Hemel Hempstead’s Comet store is expected to close its doors before Christmas.
In a move that is bound to put a dampener on the festive celebrations of the 25 staff employed at Apsley Mills, administrators have announced that 125 stores will close within weeks.
And if the business situation does not improve another 70 face the axe before the end of the year.
Administrators are unable to say at this stage in which wave of closures the Hemel Hempstead store will shut.
Earlier this month it was announced that 41 stores were being closed, while administrators continued to work to find a buyer for the ailing electrical retailer.
Joint administrator Chris Farrington said: “We remain in discussions with a small number of interested parties and hope that a positive outcome can still be achieved. Should any acceptable offers be received for stores we will delay the closure process.
“Unfortunately, in the absence of a firm offer for the whole of the business, it has become necessary to begin making plans in case a sale is not concluded. If a sale is not possible we would envisage stores begin closing in December.”