Scumbag Mike at it Again

[Don Sholeone]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52011915

Sports Direct has performed a U-turn on keeping its shops open during the coronavirus lockdown following a backlash over its plans.

The government has ordered all UK shops selling non-essential goods to close.

Sports Direct initially said it would remain open as it was "uniquely well placed to help keep the UK as fit and healthy as possible".

But after widespread criticism, it now says it will not open "until we are given the go-ahead by the government".

Sports Direct's chief financial officer, Chris Wootton, said the chain was contacting the government "at all levels" to confirm whether its shops were deemed to provide an essential service.

But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said on Tuesday morning that he could not see "any justification" for it to stay open.

"The key thing we need to do is make sure people wherever possible stay at home. Yes it's important people exercise but that should be done once a day and it's a basic thing," he told ITV's Good Morning Britain.

"People can walk, run or cycle, they should, but there is no reason for a store like Sports Direct to remain open."

The retailer 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.

In a letter written by Frasers Group, which owns Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, Mr Wootton had said: "Thus our Sports Direct and Evans Cycles stores will remain open where possible to allow us to do this (in accordance with the government's current social distancing guidance).

"There is no one else that has the range of product and range of stores to make this reasonably accessible for the whole population."

Bicycle shops are on the list of retailers that are allowed to stay open during the shutdown.

But Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the shop workers' trade union Usdaw, told the BBC's Today programme: "I can't see how it [Sports Direct] is an essential service. It's a sports clothing company.

"In my mind, an essential service would include food and medicine and the supply chain around that," as well as the National Health Service, he said.

Sports Direct's initial plan to stay open drew widespread backlash on social media.

Ian Lavery MP, chair of the Labour Party, told the company's founder and chief executive Mike Ashley to "take some responsibility".

[krully]

game stop tried to do the same thing

[Colback's Orange Tufts]

game stop tried to do the same thing

I think its worse in the UK. Like the government have given these businesses:
1/ 80% of staff wages so they don't have to
2/ Rent holidays
3/ Loans
/4 VAT and business rate holidays

So Sports Direct won't go bust. In the US there isn't this (yet?) so gamestop could go bust I guess. Shameful

[Cal]

Don't forget raising prices to make the most of the demand...

https://www.itv.com/news/2020-03-24/spo ... own-staff/

Although that seems a bit more widespread with most fitness equipment at the moment.

[Speedo]

Well colour me shocked.

Here's praying Decathlon take this opportunity to nick all SD's customers.

[Colly]

They've shut now. Where am I supposed to get a massive mug from now?

[overseasTOON]

They've shut now. Where am I supposed to get a massive mug from now?

I found a bucket in my shed which I've sterlised and now I just have to add 10 tea bags, 20 sugars and pint of milk and jobs a good un; keeps me going all morning!

[Remember Colo]

Hardly a thing that was unique to SD, not to suggest they weren't equally guilty though. Adidas took the same heat in North America, as well as a host of other businesses. Doesn't help that UK and American governments were so wishy-washy on direction to the public and businesses - well and in the case of the US, continue to be. As if they were going to back to normal by Easter, good grief.

[UlversToon]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52098392

I know it's been posted elsewhere but more to do with the scumbag rather than the takeover!

[Colly]

To be fair it's hard to criticise putting them on temporary leave on full pay for now.

[UlversToon]

Fair point but why are we, or Ashley, the first to do this attracting more bad publicity? Also read somewhere yesterday, I think it was The Telegraph article on the takeover, that Ashley is out of the country at the moment for whatever reason.

[overseasTOON]

I've been furloughed and also being forced into a 20% cut of my salary as well.

[Colly]

Fair point but why are we, or Ashley, the first to do this attracting more bad publicity? Also read somewhere yesterday, I think it was The Telegraph article on the takeover, that Ashley is out of the country at the moment for whatever reason.

Few other clubs are doing it, and Tottenham are only paying out the 80%. Twats.

[Remember Colo]

Fair point but why are we, or Ashley, the first to do this attracting more bad publicity? Also read somewhere yesterday, I think it was The Telegraph article on the takeover, that Ashley is out of the country at the moment for whatever reason.

Because Ashley has and will never care about bad publicity, despite what it does for everything associated with him.

[Valentino's fast feet]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52228542

Saint's players, coaching staff and directors all to take a deferral of pay until at least June. None of the staff to be furloughed, the non-playing staff to still receive 100% of wages for at least the next few months. That's the way to do it, Southampton.

[UlversToon]

Not necessarily to do with scumbag Mike but :-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52228551

[Valentino's fast feet]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52271235

Spurs have reversed the furlough decision, as well as Liverpool. I wonder if we ever will.

[Colly]

Nah.

[Ivan Drago]

They've shut now. Where am I supposed to get a massive mug from now?

Nufc fans are all mugs, these day's.

[Remember Colo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52271235

Spurs have reversed the furlough decision, as well as Liverpool. I wonder if we ever will.

Ashley probably isn't even aware whether other clubs have done it or not. "I can avoid paying wages? Do it, do it now."