Job losses as Carphone Warehouse stores in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough to close

Carphone Warehouse is set to shut three of its stores in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.

The major retailer has announced it will close its 531 standalone Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK on April 3.

It currently has standalone stores in Kettering's Newlands Shopping Centre, Wellingborough's Swansgate Shopping Centre and Corby's Corporation Street.

They will continue to trade through their 'shop-in-shops' in 305 big Currys PCWorld stores and online, including in Kettering's Northfield Avenue and their Phoenix Parkway store in Corby.

Nationally the move will see 2,900 job losses, with 1,400 staff expected to take internal roles.

Chief executive Alex Baldock said: “Customers are changing how they buy technology, and Dixons Carphone must change with them. We’re under way 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 per cent 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."