Mike Ashley praises staff as Frasers Group readies to ‘potentially’ reopen stores

The retail group, which comprises chains including Sports Direct, House of Fraser, Game, Jack Wills and Evans Cycles, has said it will ensure the salaries of the majority of its furloughed and non-furloughed employees will be paid this month.

The group’s senior management and non-executive directors have voluntarily had their salaries capped at £40,000, while Ashley is not drawing a salary.

In a letter to staff, Ashley said: ”The government’s proposals for the phased reopening of retail stores, which whilst not guaranteed, may potentially see the company’s stores begin to open from June 1, 2020.”

In a video shared with the retail group’s staff, Ashley also gave a “special shout out to Shirebrook”, the group’s distribution centre, which he said had done “an absolutely amazing job”.

The move come after claims by some Sports Direct staff earlier this month that they were asked to work while on furlough.