As parent company goes into administration
All three branches of Phones 4u in Hammersmith and Fulham - on Fulham Broadway, the West 12 Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith's Kings Mall - have closed as the parent company has gone into administration.
Dozens of local jobs are among a total of almost 6,000 across the company's 550 stores which are now at risk.
The chain, which is owned by private equity firm BC Partners. is the second biggest UK mobile phone retailer.
Phones 4u blamed the move on mobile network EE's decision not to renew its contract, after Vodafone also decided not to renew its contract.
The company said established mobile contracts taken out through it would not be affected, although phones ordered and not despatched - for example anyone ordering the new iPhone 6 over the weekend - would be.
On its website, the "heartbroken Phones4u team" say: "Following the unexpected decision of EE and Vodafone to withdraw supply from Phones4u , we regret that we are offline. Please accept our apologies and we will update you as soon as possible
" Our customer service lines are:
• Phones 4u Customer Service 0844 8712253
• Technical Support 0844 8712233
• Handset Repairs 0844 8712269
• Phones 4u Care (Insurance) 0844 8710535
• LIFE Mobile Customer Service 0844 3221133
" Thank you for your custom."
Industry insiders said the collapse into administration comes because suppliers - phone networks Three, 02, Vodafone and finally EE - decided to "disintermediarise" or cut out the middle man, instead preferring to sell their products direct to customers.
Despite the stores being closed, Phones 4u has told staff to turn up to work as normal and they they will "continue to be paid until further notice".
September 16, 2014
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