THREE Phones 4 U stores in the town will not be opening their doors this morning after the mobile phone company announced they had gone into administration. 

Stores in the Golden Square, Alban Retail Park and on Market Gate in the town centre have been closed pending a decision by the administrators on whether they can be reopened for trading.

It is thought mobile contracts signed through the retailer will be unaffected.

The struggling brand collapsed on Sunday night after network operator EE joined Vodafone in cutting ties with the retailer.

It is not yet known how many staff members in Warrington have been affected. 

Phones 4u chief executive David Kassler said last night: "Today is a very sad day for our customers and our staff.

"If the mobile network operators decline to supply us, we do not have a business. A good company making profits of over £100 million, employing thousands of decent people has been forced into administration.

"The great service we have provided should have guaranteed a strong future, but unfortunately our network partners have decided otherwise. The ultimate result will be less competition, less choice and higher prices for mobile customers in the UK."

Robert Jonathan Hunt, Ian David Green and Robert John Moran of PwC have been appointed as administrators.

Rob Hunt, joint administrator and PwC partner, said: "This is a very sad day for the business and the many people working there. In light of our impending appointment the directors understandably took the decision to close all the shops today and sent many staff home.

"Our initial focus will be to quickly engage with parties who may be interested in acquiring all or part of the business, and to better understand the financial position and options for the company. The stores will remain closed while we have these conversations.

"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.

"These conversations will determine whether we can re-open stores and trade, and also if and when we can pay the arrears of wages to employees. Our hope is that we will be able to pay all the outstanding wages arrears.”