DOOM RAIDER

Jobs cut in Ashley deals

said: “Everyone is feeling the pressure.”

Paddy Lillis of the shop workers’ union Usdaw said: “Employing around three million people, the retail sector contributes 11% to UK economic output.

“The challenges affecting the sector have a huge knockon effect, impacting the UK economy and a significant number of workers.”

TYCOON Mike Ashley’s High Street takeovers have led to the loss of 6,000 jobs.

The Sports Direct owner’s most recent deal was to take over the Evans Cycles chain in an £8million package.

Up to 650 jobs are expected to be axed as half the firm’s shops close.

Newcastle United owner Mr Ashley targets struggling businesses which he picks up debt free. So far firms’ creditors have lost around £1billion in the takeovers.

In August this year, Sports Direct bought House of Fraser for £90m.

The previous owners had planned to close 31 of its 59 branches. Sports Direct reduced the number of closures to 12 but that would still mean 2,300 jobs are at risk.

Saucy lingerie seller Agent Provocateur was said to employ 600 people when it was bought by a Sports Direct subsidiary. According to official figures it now employs just 153 staff. In 2015, Sports Direct was blasted after 79 full-time staff and 166 casual workers were allegedly let go with just 15 minutes’ notice when it took over USC, a fashion subsidiary.

Three years earlier Mr Ashley, above, took over the remnants of JJB Sports in a £24m deal that left 2,200 workers unemployed.

He is now looking at another troubled High Street chain, Debenhams.

GREGG Wallace has described his 32-yearold wife’s pregnancy as a “miracle”.The MasterChef host,54, said the couple struggled for two years with IVF treatment before Anna became pregnant naturally. He told magazine: “Seeing the scan made me cry.”Read the full interview in out tomorrow.