3 boosts high street presence

3G phone company 3 will dramatically increase its high street presence with the addition of another 95 outlets.

The company has bought 73 The Link outlets and 22 shops from O2, which will be rebranded as its own "3Stores".

The company previously had just 30 own-brand outlets in the UK.

By the end of the year 3 aims to have 150 "3stores" up and running, as well as 133 concessions operated through Selfridges and Superdrug.

A 3 spokesman said the acquisition "strengthens our direct sales channel, giving the 3 brand a major presence on high streets across the country".

As part of the acquisition, around 500 staff from the Link will come into 3 with the shops. With the O2 outlets, only the shops are being acquired, meaning 3 will recruit people to staff them, creating about 200 jobs.

The company hopes to have more than 90 of the new stores rebranded and opened in time for Christmas.

No value for the acquisition was available.