UP to 15 jobs in Bolton are under threat after Phones 4u went into administration.

Staff turned up at the Bolton town centre outlet in Deansgate and at Middlebrook, Horwich, but the doors were closed to customers and calls to the shops were not being taken.

Workers refused to come to the door or comment on the company’s demise.

Online, the website said: “Dear Customer, Following the unexpected decision of EE and Vodahone to withdraw supply from Phones 4u, we regret we are offline.

“Please accept out apologies and we will update you as soon as possible.”

It then gave a series of phone numbers, followed by: “Thank you for your custom. The heartbroken Phones 4u Team.”

A worker in Carphone Warehouse opposite the Deansgate store said: “It’s a real shame. They are our competitors, but we would rather they were there than an empty shop. There are too many of those here.”

Phones 4u, which is owned by private equity firm BC Partners, said over the weekend its 550 stores would be closed yesterday, and that 5,596 jobs across the UK were at risk.

It has blamed the move on mobile network EE’s decision not to renew its contract as did Vodafone earlier this month.

“If mobile network operators decline to supply, we don’t have a business,” said Phones 4u chief executive David Kassler.

Established mobile contracts taken out through Phones 4u would not be affected, the company said, but phones ordered and not despatched – like the new iPhone 6 over the weekend – would be.

The firm said staff should turn up for work as normal, before being given more information and that they would continue to be paid until further notice.

Mr Kassler said it was a “very sad day” for both customers and staff.

“A good company making profits of over £100m, employing thousands of decent people has been forced into administration,” he added.

The firm said EE and Vodafone's decisions not to renew their contracts had come as “a complete shock”. Phones 4u said it had only received EE's decision late on Friday.

  • Are you a customer or staff member affected by the Phones 4U closure today? Contact newsdesk on 01204 537271.