Sports Direct founder to meet with MPs at Shirebrook

Conditions for agency workers in the warehouse have been likened to a “gulag” with workers working in fear of a “six strikes and you’re out” rule.

Ashley has now invited MPs to the depot to meet face-to-face, the Mirror reports. The meeting is the first he has ever agreed to hold with MPs.

On Saturday members of Unite union handed out Valentine’s cards and cakes outside the outlets in Shirebrook and Mansfield, demanding the chain “have a heart” by putting staff on permanent contracts and paying them the national living wage.

The protests were part of a national campaign day headed by Unite, which also saw a 20,000 strong petition handed in at its Shirebrook headquarters.

The latest action follows a series of “Sports Direct Shame” protests by Newcastle United and Rangers football fans over Sports Direct’s work practices and treatment of agency workers at its main warehouse in Shirebrook.