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| Coronavirus: Sports Direct boss 'deeply' sorry for virus blunders | Coronavirus: Sports Direct boss 'deeply' sorry for virus blunders |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has said he is "deeply apologetic" for a series of blunders in the way his chain has reacted to the coronavirus lockdown. | Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has said he is "deeply apologetic" for a series of blunders in the way his chain has reacted to the coronavirus lockdown. |
| The retailer lobbied the government to keep his shops open, arguing they were an "essential service", but backed down after a backlash from staff and media. | The retailer lobbied the government to keep his shops open, arguing they were an "essential service", but backed down after a backlash from staff and media. |
| Mr Ashley admitted his request was "ill judged and poorly timed" and said he would "learn from his mistakes". | Mr Ashley admitted his request was "ill judged and poorly timed" and said he would "learn from his mistakes". |
| The retail tycoon also offered to lend the NHS his delivery trucks. | The retail tycoon also offered to lend the NHS his delivery trucks. |
| In an open letter, Mr Ashley also admitted the firm's communications to staff and the public were "poor". | In an open letter, Mr Ashley also admitted the firm's communications to staff and the public were "poor". |
| "I am deeply apologetic about the misunderstandings of the last few days. We will learn from this and will try not to make the same mistakes in the future," he said. | "I am deeply apologetic about the misunderstandings of the last few days. We will learn from this and will try not to make the same mistakes in the future," he said. |
| The letter marks a change in tone for the billionaire. Earlier this week, Sports Direct asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson directly on Twitter whether its stores should stay open. | The letter marks a change in tone for the billionaire. Earlier this week, Sports Direct asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson directly on Twitter whether its stores should stay open. |
| Sports Direct had argued that it provided an essential service. Bosses at the company said the sports equipment it sells can be used to exercise at home at a time when gyms have been closed. | Sports Direct had argued that it provided an essential service. Bosses at the company said the sports equipment it sells can be used to exercise at home at a time when gyms have been closed. |
| However, the chain's initial plan to stay open drew widespread backlash from both politicians and the public. | However, the chain's initial plan to stay open drew widespread backlash from both politicians and the public. |
| Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I can't see any justification for Sports Direct remaining open." | Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I can't see any justification for Sports Direct remaining open." |
| Mr Ashley, worth £1.9bn according to the Sunday Times Rich List, is one of the country's biggest owners of High Street retailers. | Mr Ashley, worth £1.9bn according to the Sunday Times Rich List, is one of the country's biggest owners of High Street retailers. |
| Through Frasers Group, he controls House of Fraser, Sports Direct, Evans Cycles, Lillywhites, Flannels, Agent Provocateur and he recently bought a 12.5% stake in luxury leather goods group Mulberry. | Through Frasers Group, he controls House of Fraser, Sports Direct, Evans Cycles, Lillywhites, Flannels, Agent Provocateur and he recently bought a 12.5% stake in luxury leather goods group Mulberry. |
| It is not the first time Mr Ashley had been criticised over the treatment of workers. | It is not the first time Mr Ashley had been criticised over the treatment of workers. |
| An investigation by The Guardian in 2015 revealed people working at Sports Direct's warehouse in Shirebrook,Derbyshire receiving less than the minimum wage because of rigorous searches and surveillance. | An investigation by The Guardian in 2015 revealed people working at Sports Direct's warehouse in Shirebrook,Derbyshire receiving less than the minimum wage because of rigorous searches and surveillance. |
| Meanwhile, the BBC discovered that ambulances were called out to the site 76 times in two years. | |
| Evans Cycles | Evans Cycles |
| Frasers Group also owns Evans Cycles, which is regarded as an essential retailer. But it has currently closed all those stores too, pending review. | Frasers Group also owns Evans Cycles, which is regarded as an essential retailer. But it has currently closed all those stores too, pending review. |
| Businesses that are allowed to stay open under the strict new guidelines include: | Businesses that are allowed to stay open under the strict new guidelines include: |
| Several other firms came under fire this week after saying that some of their stores would stay open. | Several other firms came under fire this week after saying that some of their stores would stay open. |
| The Halfords bicycle and auto repair chain drew criticism after saying it would keep some stores open despite being named by the government as an "essential provider of services”. | The Halfords bicycle and auto repair chain drew criticism after saying it would keep some stores open despite being named by the government as an "essential provider of services”. |
| Meanwhile, housebuilder Redrow has said it will suspend work on all sites after construction workers cited fears for their safety. | Meanwhile, housebuilder Redrow has said it will suspend work on all sites after construction workers cited fears for their safety. |