Suppliers to Blacks Leisure have threatened to boycott the outdoor chain if Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct successfully bids for the business.

According to The Telegraphkey suppliers will refuse to supply the retailer if Ashley’s Sports Direct buys Blacks. Sports Direct has said it is considering a bid for the company, it already has a 28% stake in the company.

Suppliers thought to be planning to boycott include key supplier North Face.

Sports Direct bought outdoor chain Field and Trek in 2007 and in its first year of ownership turnover halved from £12.5m to £7.5m with a loss of £2m.

One supplier said: “If Sports Direct become involved we have a serious concern that they may do the same to Blacks as they have done to Field & Trek and on that basis we would not wish to supply.”

Sports Direct has blocked a £20m fundraising plan by Blacks but the outdoor group said that with no concrete bid in place yet from Sports Direct it was still going to pursue its fundraising and turnaround plan.

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