Phones 4u administrator closes 362 stores with loss of 1,697 jobs

PwC claims it has made the decision after “limited interest” in the balance of the estate and added that an additional 720 staff have been retained in the short term to assist with winding up the retailer.

The closures come despite speculation that Dixons Carphone is interested in taking on a number of the stores.

An executive team from Dixons Carphone is visiting Phones 4u’s head office in Stoke-on-Trent today to “reach out” to 300 Phones 4u employees it believes may be interested in headquarter roles.

Dixons Carphone will continue with plans to salvage jobs at some of the closing Phones 4u stores, according to Sky News.

A statement is reportedly being prepared by Dixons Carphone that it remains interested in acquiring between 50 and 100 stores and will negotiate directly with landlords once the stores have closed down.

Sky News reports that Dixons Carphone had made a cash offer to buy 27 Phones 4u shops on commercial terms, but administrator PwC turned down the proposal.

Dixons Carphone has already taken on 160 Phones 4u concessions in its Currys and PC World stores, saving about 800 jobs in the process.

EE and Vodafone, who were the companies who forced Phones 4u into administration after opting not to renew supply contracts with the retailer, have taken on 198 Phones 4u stores between them.

PwC partner Rob Hunt said: “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.”