MOBILE phone retailer Phones 4U went into administration on Sunday night putting 5,596 jobs at risk.

The news was announced after mobile phone operator EE decided not to renew its contract with the chain that has a store in Festival Place, here in Basingstoke.

EE is Britain’s biggest mobile operator. This follows a similar decision by Newbury-headquartered Vodafone earlier this month.

Phones 4U is owned by private equity firm BC Partners, which has 720 outlets, including 550 standalone stores.

The stores are closed today as staff are being briefed this morning about the announcement.

BC Partners has appointed PwC as its administrators.

It is believed Phones 4U stores will remain closed pending a decision by the administrators on whether they can reopen for trading The company said established mobile contracts taken out through Phones 4U would not be affected.