Sports Direct, owned by billionaire leisurewear tycoon Mike Ashley, is to close a warehouse in Wigan, Greater Manchester, with the loss of 300 jobs.
In a move described as a “body blow” to the region by the GMB trade union, Sports Direct stunned workers by announcing it would shut the factory on 13 June. Employees, who mostly work packing goods for nationwide distribution, were told of the decision on Monday.
The GMB criticised the decision by the sportswear company, which was exposed in 2016 by the Guardian for making staff work in “Victorian workhouse” conditions.
