Partner Article

1,700 jobs to go at Phones 4U as over 300 stores are to shut down

The closure of 362 stores by the administrators of Phones 4U mean that almost 1,700 jobs will be axed.

This comes a day after EE and Vodafone saved over 1,200 jobs by acquiring 198 stores from the struggling retailer.

However the owner of Carphone Warehouse is reportedly set to go ahead with an attempt to salvage hundreds of jobs

Sky News learnt that Dixons Carphone plans to make a statement today that it remains interested in acquiring between 50 and 100 shops from the ailing mobile phone retailer’s estate.

Dixons Carphone is finalising a list of the stores which it is interested in acquiring, and intends to negotiate directly with the properties’ landlords once they have been closed down.

It will also invite Phones 4U staff from the corresponding shops to apply directly to it for jobs if it is successful in taking them over.

Phones 4U went into administration last week following a decision by both EE and Vodafone not to renew contracts.

Administrators PwC have said that a further 720 staff have been retained to assist with the closure programme.

Rob Hunt, joint administrator and PwC partner, said: “It is with much regret that we have today made the difficult decision to close a large number of stores.

“It is a very sad day for the staff working at those locations and our thoughts are with them.

“We will make every effort to help the affected staff, working with the Phones 4U HR team over the coming days to support employees.”

Breakdowns of stores closing will be available on Tuesday, administrators said.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .