Carphone Warehouse at Westwood will shut as owner high street retailer Dixons Carphone announces all standalone Carphone stores will be closed.
In a statement today the business said the closures, which represent 8% of its stores, was “an essential next step towards making Mobile a sustainable and profitable category.”
Almost 40% of affected colleagues are expected to take new roles in the business, and other colleagues will be fully supported, the firm said. There will be 2,900 redundancies across the country.
Mobiles will be sold through Carphone Warehouse shop-in-shops in 305 big Currys PCWorld stores and online.
The company is closing 531 standalone Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK by April 3.
Alex Baldock, Group Chief Executive, said:“Customers are changing how they buy technology, and Dixons Carphone must change with them. We’re underway with a fundamental transformation to do so. Today’s tough decision is an essential part of that, the next step in making our UK Mobile business a success for customers, colleagues and other shareholders. Clearly, with unsustainable losses of £90m expected this year, Mobile is currently holding back the whole business. There’s never an easy time for an announcement like this, but the turbulent times ahead only underline the importance of acting now.
“I don’t underestimate how upsetting this news will be for our colleagues, and we’ll treat everyone with honesty, respect and care. We want to keep as many of our Carphone Warehouse colleagues as we can, and expect to find new roles for almost 40% of those affected. We’re working hard to look after those colleagues we can’t find new roles for, financially and otherwise. We’ll pay enhanced redundancy, any bonuses, honour their share awards, and help them find new jobs through an outplacement programme. We recognise our responsibilities towards our colleagues and communities, and intend to fulfil them.
“But though this is by far the toughest decision we’ve had to make, it is necessary. We must follow our customers. They want help with all technology, all in one place, and this trend is only going to accelerate in a more connected 5G world.”
ANOTHER SHOP TO CLOSE AT WESTWOOD CROSS HOW MUCH WORSE IS IT GOING TO GET AS EVERTIME I POP UP THERE LESS PEOPLE AND SHOPS REMINDS ME OF MARGATE AND CLIFTONVILLE BUSINESS RATES ARE A KILLER SO BE BACK TO CANTERBURY FOR SHOPPING TRIP SUCH A GREAT SHAME. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE BEFORE OTHER SHOPS DISAPPEAR FOR GOOD.
Some very strange business decisions voiced here! Are they saying everyone is now buying on-line rather than from their stores? I would never buy a phone on-line unless I was familiar with the brand/model in advance. Also moving “all technology to one place”…?? Isn’t this what Comet used to be.. and look what happened to them in recent years!
Westwood Cross is fast turning into St James shopping centre in Dover which is probably the most z-list retail park I have ever been to. At least parking is free whereas St James charge you to visit!
With the lose of rent they might start charging to park
I have to admit I have never been a fan of out of town shopping centres. They suck the life blood from local high streets, such as in Ramsgate. I for one believe we should support local businesses. Maybe Westwood Cross won’t last. It has lost a number of stores and restaurants recently. Maybe it is time to fall out of love with such places?