Comet has made a comeback 14 years after its collapse, returning as an online electrical marketplace.
The brand, once a familiar sight on high streets across the UK, has been revived by entrepreneur Cas Paton, who hopes to rekindle the excitement and trust it once inspired.
Mr Paton, 42, said: "I remember being a very young boy and going into Comet and just being so excited by the potential of all this new technology.
"Whether it was the TVs or the electronics, these were things you aspired to own.
"It’s that excitement of going into the store that I don’t think has ever really been recreated."
The new website, comet.co.uk, will offer more than one million products from 2,500 sellers, from TVs and washing machines to mobiles, computers and the latest gadgets.
Mr Paton is determined to capture the spirit of the original Comet.
He said: "We wanted to try and bring that nostalgia of the brand and the history and the way it makes people feel into an online marketplace so that people know they’re coming to a specialist online.
"While we’re not going to give people the same in-store feeling that we once had, at least customers know when they go to Comet it’s a site that really caters only for those products.
"You won’t find furniture or clothing."
Founded in 1933, Comet became one of the UK’s best-known electrical retailers before going into liquidation in 2012.
Mr Paton has restored its classic black and orange branding, distancing the new venture from later rebrands that he believes diluted its customer connection.
While the new Comet is currently online-only, he is open to exploring click-and-collect partnerships that could one day bring the brand back to the high street.
Mr Paton said: "I want Comet to be able to connect to stores again.
"We’re exploring a few options that might put Comet’s name back on a few buildings."
He believes there is space in the market for a specialist electrical marketplace and sees an opportunity to offer shoppers greater choice and convenience.
Comet operates differently from some online competitors, as it does not sell its own stock.
Mr Paton said: "Every sale that’s made on Comet is a sale for another retailer.
"We’re a friend of the retailers.
"We’re here to attract customers, build trust and give customers choice."
He has already invested £10 million in relaunching the brand and believes Comet could eventually be worth between £250 million and £500 million.
Mr Paton’s entrepreneurial journey began early.
At just 14 years old, he was earning £500 at a time advising shop owners on how to improve profits by moving away from outdated price-sticker guns.
He later joined the Royal Navy before studying law at Bournemouth University, but soon launched his first online business for just £79.99.
That venture led to the creation of OnBuy, an online marketplace now valued at £250 million.
Mr Paton said: "Bringing Comet back to life and bringing it into a new world of glory is exactly that."
He believes there is strong demand for the brand’s return.
He said: "The market is really tough.
"Money is really tight.
"But people still need a kettle.
"They still need a toaster.
"They still want a TV.
"If we can help people save money by bringing better choice from a reputable, long-standing brand that has nostalgia and trust, I think it’s a great win."
Despite his business success, Mr Paton says he is still driven by the same excitement he felt as a child exploring a Comet store.
Reflecting on his journey, he said: "Probably that we could be doing more."
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