Former A1 Comms staff to lose jobs as new owner dials up redundancies

The new owner of former mobile phone provider A1 Comms has denied it is offering pay-outs to try and ease the Derby company’s staff out of the company – but has confirmed that it is making job cuts.

AO bought A1 Comms out of administration in February, initially saving 73 jobs.

However, TheBusinessDesk.com was contacted on Wednesday evening by a source who works at AO alleging that at a staff meeting held earlier that day staff were offered “pay-outs” to leave the business.

The source added: “The pay out has been offered rather than redundancy along with a hush payment to ensure the AO brand isn’t damaged.”

A spokesperson has strenuously denied the allegations, but has confirmed that a number of roles are being axed.

A statement said: “Following our acquisition of the Affordable Mobiles and Buy Mobiles websites from A1 Comms in administration and the transfer of certain staff, we are proposing some redundancies. We’ve met with everyone affected to explain the redundancy consultation and what it means for them. Every affected employee who’s entitled to it will receive statutory redundancy pay as a minimum along with full notice pay and any other contractual payments.”

A1 Comms which had offices in Alfreton, Darley Abbey and Derby, sold mobile phones through its online consumer brands Affordable Mobiles, Buymobiles and Phones.co.uk. It was established in 1997.

When it bought A1 Comms, AO issued a statement saying: “As AO seeks to expand its mobile proposition, the acquisition of the brands and platforms will provide AO with expertise and synergies that will accelerate this ambition.”