Features
Phones 4U Disconnected
Manchester’s Phones 4U Arena will need a new naming rights sponsor with the phones retailer almost certainly headed for bankruptcy.
Insolvency specialist PwC has sold off many of the company’s 600 or so outlets, with 362 stores closing and nearly 2,000 jobs lost.
The phone retailer went down after mobile networks EE and Vodafone pulled out of connection deals with Phones 4U.
EE has subsequently bought 58 Phones 4U outlets for a reported £2.5 million ($4.01 million), saving 359 jobs, while Vodafone has acquired 140 shops and saved 887 jobs.
The retailer that 15 months ago signed a five-year, multimillion naming rights deal for the former Manchester Evening News Arena has been in administration since Sept. 14.
SMG Europe, which runs the venue, previously said the venue’s name will remain Phones 4U Arena for the foreseeable future.