Iconic electrical retailer Comet is back more than a decade after it closed its doors. That’s cause for celebration as it’s not often that lost names make a return.
The UK high street has changed a lot in recent years, particularly as many retailers shut up shop for good as they became casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sadly though, shops closing - and having economic and socio-cultural factors contribute to this - is nothing new. As our gallery below shows, there are many stores that have disappared from our high street in the last 20 years or so.
Some of these brand names have gone altogether, while others have re-branded or launched as online only companies. Take a look through our gallery and see which ones you remember.
21. Lewis’s
Lewis’s was a department store that operated from 1856 to 2010. The owners of Lewis’s went into administration many times over the years before threy finally closed, but it was a go to store for generations. | Lewis's
22. C&A
C&A was a retail store that featured on many British high streets between 1992 and 2001, when C&A withdrew from the UK entirely. The chain still operates in Europe and Brazil. | DPA/AFP via Getty Images
23. Comet
Comet was a popular electronic and white goods shop. The firm entered administration in November 2012, and all stores and their stock was liquidated and closed by 18 December. Before its collapse, the company was the UK’s second biggest electrical retailer, with 6,000 staff and over 200 stores. The store has just relaunched as an online only retailer. | Comet
24. Zavvi
Zavvi lasted for another two years after taking over Virgin Megastore. In 2009, it was relaunched as an online brand. | Getty Images