A change in the way people buy technology has led to the news that Carphone Warehouse are closing all of their standalone stores with the loss of 2,900 jobs nationwide.

In an announcement this morning, parent company Dixons Carphone confirmed that all 531 standalone Carphone Warehouse stores would close.

It added that the company will now focus on selling mobile devices and connectivity through its shop-in-shops at big Currys PCWorld sites and online.

The stores will close on April 3 with the company saying it is expecting 2,900 redundancies.

The statement said: "Dixons Carphone will go well beyond legal obligations in financial and other support for all affected colleagues.

There are currently Carphone Warehouse stores on Cheltenham High Street and on Eastgate Street in Gloucester.

There is also an outlet on Westgate Island in Gloucester and on Cricklade Street in Cirencester.

Alex Baldock, the group chief executive of Dixons Carphone said he hoped that around 40 per cent of those affected can be found jobs elsewhere in the business.

He said: 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.

But though this is by far the toughest decision we've had to make, it is necessary. We must follow our customers.

"They want help with all technology, all in one place, and this trend is only going to accelerate in a more connected 5G world.

"That's why we're committed to our more than 300 big stores around the UK, why we're investing tens of millions of pounds in them and in the thousands of expert colleagues who work in them.

"But it's also why sadly we have to close the small stores."

BREAKING NEWS: We wanted to deliver the business community some positive advice to help them through the ongoing Covid19 crisis, but as the situation is ever-changing, and in light of this afternoon's planned briefing from Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak we have decided to hold fire. However, expect one of our now daily breaking news bulletins immediately post their announcements rounding up the salient points. Good luck out there.