- Huw Hughes
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Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has said he is “deeply apologetic” for
his company’s earlier efforts to keep stores open amid the country’s
lockdown and has offered to help the NHS during the pandemic.
On Monday evening, prime minister Boris Johnson
announced the immediate
closure of all ‘non-essential’ stores across the country –
including fashion stores – in a bid to curb the spread of the
coronavirus.
Following the announcement, Ashley wrote to the government proposing
that stores of Sports Direct and Evans Cycles – which are both part of his
Frasers Group – remain open on the basis they provide the British public
with sporting goods which he argued was essential in current
circumstances.
However, following widespread criticism, Ashley took a U-turn and
apologised for the decision. In an open letter to the government, he wrote:
“I am deeply apologetic about the misunderstandings of the last few days.
Given what has taken place over the last few days, I thought it was
necessary to address and apologise for much of what has been reported
across various media outlets regarding my personal actions and those of the
Frasers Group business.”
Ashley also offered the NHS his fleet of delivery trucks to deliver
supplies during the pandemic.
He said: “I take this opportunity to repeat that we are keen to help
support in whatever way we can our marvellous NHS and its employees who are
putting themselves in danger to protect our wellbeing.”
Click here to see the latest updates on how Covid-19 is
affecting the international fashion industry
Photo credit: Sports Direct media centre