This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36510270
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sports Direct founder, Mike Ashley, interested in BHS stores | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The founder of Sports Direct, Mike Ashley, has written to BHS administrators expressing an interest in taking over some of its stores. | |
| In his letter, Mr Ashley said he was keen to save the BHS brand as well as a number of jobs with the retailer. | In his letter, Mr Ashley said he was keen to save the BHS brand as well as a number of jobs with the retailer. |
| The company is being wound down after administrators failed to find a buyer for the collapsed business. | The company is being wound down after administrators failed to find a buyer for the collapsed business. |
| "We can confirm that we have a continued interest in BHS," said a Sports Direct spokesman. | "We can confirm that we have a continued interest in BHS," said a Sports Direct spokesman. |
| "We have written to the administrator seeking to re-open a dialogue about saving a number of jobs and stores along with the BHS name." | "We have written to the administrator seeking to re-open a dialogue about saving a number of jobs and stores along with the BHS name." |
| The administrator, Duff & Phelps, confirmed it had received the letter but made no further comment. | The administrator, Duff & Phelps, confirmed it had received the letter but made no further comment. |
| The BBC's Joe Lynam said he understood the firm would respond on Monday, by urging Mr Ashley to make a formal bid for the stores and/or the brand name. | The BBC's Joe Lynam said he understood the firm would respond on Monday, by urging Mr Ashley to make a formal bid for the stores and/or the brand name. |
| In a hearing before MPs last week, Mr Ashley confirmed that he had "100%" wanted to buy the High Street retailer. | In a hearing before MPs last week, Mr Ashley confirmed that he had "100%" wanted to buy the High Street retailer. |
| BHS: A history of a High Street stalwart | BHS: A history of a High Street stalwart |
| Jack: The troubled world of BHS | Jack: The troubled world of BHS |
| Mike Ashley: Sports Direct's media-shy owner enters spotlight | Mike Ashley: Sports Direct's media-shy owner enters spotlight |
| Former BHS owner dubbed 'a liar' | Former BHS owner dubbed 'a liar' |
| Separately, the former owner of BHS, Dominic Chappell said that just before BHS went into administration he had arranged a rescue deal backed by the billionaire owner of the sports retailer, but that it had been blocked by Sir Philip Green, from whom Mr Chappell bought BHS for £1 last year. | Separately, the former owner of BHS, Dominic Chappell said that just before BHS went into administration he had arranged a rescue deal backed by the billionaire owner of the sports retailer, but that it had been blocked by Sir Philip Green, from whom Mr Chappell bought BHS for £1 last year. |
| Mr Chappell said that on learning of this deal, "Philip went absolutely crazy, screaming and shouting down the phone that he didn't want to get involved with Mike Ashley". | Mr Chappell said that on learning of this deal, "Philip went absolutely crazy, screaming and shouting down the phone that he didn't want to get involved with Mike Ashley". |
| However, Sir Philip has denied knowing about the deal and a spokesman has said he "was unaware of any bid interest by Mike Ashley". | However, Sir Philip has denied knowing about the deal and a spokesman has said he "was unaware of any bid interest by Mike Ashley". |
| 'Biased' | 'Biased' |
| Sir Philip has been asked to give evidence before a committee of MPs on Wednesday. They are investigating the collapse of BHS and whether it could have been prevented. | Sir Philip has been asked to give evidence before a committee of MPs on Wednesday. They are investigating the collapse of BHS and whether it could have been prevented. |
| However, the retail billionaire and former BHS owner has been embroiled in a spat with Frank Field, chairman of the inquiry, claiming that he is "biased" and should resign from the committee. | However, the retail billionaire and former BHS owner has been embroiled in a spat with Frank Field, chairman of the inquiry, claiming that he is "biased" and should resign from the committee. |
| He has written a letter saying he was "not prepared to participate" with the work and pensions committee hearing, unless Mr Field stands down. | He has written a letter saying he was "not prepared to participate" with the work and pensions committee hearing, unless Mr Field stands down. |
| Mr Ashley, who built up Sports Direct to be the UK's largest sports retailer with more than 400 stores, is due to submit written evidence to the BHS inquiry later this month. | Mr Ashley, who built up Sports Direct to be the UK's largest sports retailer with more than 400 stores, is due to submit written evidence to the BHS inquiry later this month. |
| Coincidentally he was also testifying before MPs last week about the working practices in his company. | Coincidentally he was also testifying before MPs last week about the working practices in his company. |
| BHS, which consisted of 163 stores, ran out of money last month, jeopardising 11,000 jobs and leaving a huge hole in its pension fund. | BHS, which consisted of 163 stores, ran out of money last month, jeopardising 11,000 jobs and leaving a huge hole in its pension fund. |