Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley will set out his views on how to save the high street in a meeting with MPs next month.
The controversial tycoon, who in recent months has bought department store group House of Fraser and cycling specialist Evans out of administration, wants MPs to do more to create thriving high streets.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is running an inquiry into “high streets and town centres in 2030”. Ashley will meet members on December 3, at his request.
Ashley said: “Since we acquired House of Fraser, we’ve been working around the clock to save as many stores and jobs as possible.
“I believe politicians and landlords should be doing more to save our struggling high streets, so I intend to make the most of this opportunity to make a real difference.”
Sports Direct has so far “saved in excess of” 20 House of Fraser stores, he said, including the flagship Frasers store in Glasgow, which was acquired for £95m and that Ashley plans to turn into the “Harrods of the North”.
A Sports Direct spokesman said: “The MPs originally wanted somebody from House of Fraser to speak for about 15 minutes as part of a panel of four, and said they didn’t mind who it was.
“Mike thought that wouldn’t achieve anything, so instead he demanded to go along in person for a full hour.”
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