Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley's Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, wrote to all workers within 30 minutes of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to shut down all non-essential retailers. "There is no one else that has the range of product and range of stores to make this reasonably accessible for the whole population." The finance chief, who sits on the board alongside chief executive and majority owner Mr Ashley, signed off: "Thanks for your incredible efforts during this time." The PM said restrictions would be tightened up so only essential journeys should be made by key workers. He also said people could leave home for exercise, but only while maintaining social distancing.

Source: Daily Mirror March 23, 2020 22:54 UTC