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Phones 4u announces it is to close remaining 362 stores and make 1,697 staff redundant
After going into administration, mobile phone retailer administrators working with Phones 4u have announced that there has not been enough interest to save the company's remaining 362 stores.
All told, 1,697 people will lose their jobs.
EE had already agreed to buy 58 stores while Vodafone said on Friday that it was buying 140. The deals will safeguard 359 and 887 jobs respectively.
From the company's staement:
The administrators are pleased to confirm earlier announcements regarding the transfer of more than 2000 staff working in 198 P4U stores and 160 concessions. The transaction was subject to court approval which has now been received and these transactions are now being finalised.Unfortunately, there is limited interest in the balance of the estate from parties considering going concern offers. This comprises 362 stores. Regretfully, as a result, the administrators announce that those stores will close permanently and 1697 staff employed at these locations will be made redundant.Another 720 people have been retained in the short term to assist with the closure programme.