Phones 4u failure knocks out courier

A CREWE-based mobile phone courier has been dragged under by the failure of the Phones 4U chain with the loss of 69 jobs.

Liquidators have been appointed to Inter City Express who said the Phones 4U collapse had a “catastrophic impact” on the business.

Around 75% of revenues came from the delivery of Phones 4U handsets from its five depots. The business had been trading since June 2000 and was controlled by Howard and Katherine Biggs.

Lindsey Cooper and Jeremy Woodside of Baker Tilly in Stoke have been appointed joint liquidators.

Mr Coopers said: “The recent insolvency of Phones 4U had a catastrophic impact on Inter City Express Limited, as their contract with Phones 4U accounted for around 75% of the company’s turnover.

“In addition the company was left with a substantial bad debt from Phones 4U. The combined impact of the loss of turnover and the bad debt meant the directors were left with no alternative other than to seek insolvency advice. The cessation of trade has resulted in all 69 members of staff being made redundant.”