Could town’s Phones 4u staff keep their jobs? Mobile operators give lifeline to almost 200 stores

The company, which has a shop in Marlowes, went into administration last Sunday, September 14, after network provider EE announced it would not be renewing its current contract, due to end in a year’s time.

The decision followed Vodafone’s abandonment of Phones 4u when its contract expires.

The chain, owned by private equity firm BC Partners, said its 550 stores would all be closed on Monday.

It has since been revealed that the firms who withdrew their contracts will now buy out some of the chain’s shops.

EE is to buy 58 stores while Vodafone agreed to take over 140.

Dixons Carphone also said last week that it would hire the 800 people who work in Phones 4u concessions at its Currys and PC World stores, such as those based at the Apsley Mills Retail Park.

Depsite the positive developments, thousands of jobs remain at risk at Phones 4u, which had operated more than 700 outlets and had almost 5,600 staff.