Ashley: Web is killing High St

THE founder of Sports Direct last night warned MPs that the internet is killing the High Street.

Mike Ashley, pictured, demanded a 20 per cent tax on retailers that make more than 20 per cent of their sales online.

The tycoon, 54, branded shop rents and business rates ‘prehistoric’, adding: ‘You have to tax the internet for the good of the High Street.’

So far this year, as many as 40,000 retail jobs have been axed, or are now at risk, as shoppers flock to online-only firms such as Amazon. In August Mr Ashley paid £90million for House of Fraser – where 12,000 jobs are at risk – after it went bust.

Yesterday he told a committee of MPs the sector is already dead ‘at the bottom of the swimming pool’. Mr Ashley, who also owns Newcastle United, last night said he is in talks to sell the club before January.

The Mail is campaigning to save our High Streets by reforming business rates and introducing a fair tax for online firms.