Beleaguered mobile phone retailer Phones 4u is to close 362 stores, with the loss of nearly 1,700 jobs, administrators said tonight.
A further 720 staff have been retained to assist with the closure programme, PwC said.
It comes after Phones 4u went into administration last week following network operator EE's decision not to renew its contract.
The administrators of Phones 4u said that they hoped to pay the outstanding wages of its retailer's 5,600 employees, but could only do so if they were able to access the necessary funds.
PwC partner Rob Hunt said that its 700 outlets would remain closed while talks were held with possible buyers of some or all of the business. "We will also be talking to network operators and suppliers, and trying to access funds to pay for the costs of the business, including wages," he said.
Phones 4u staff were told to go to work today for briefings with management but the stores did not open.
The collapse of the retailer followed EE's decision to join Vodafone in cutting ties with the retailer, which sells contracts on behalf of the network operators.
All mobile contracts bought through Phones 4u will not be affected and the networks will continue to provide mobile services to customers.
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