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Ashley criticised as Sports Direct remains open despite government lockdown over coronavirus NewsColony The Newcastle owner has faced widespread criticism in the past over the company’s treatment of its employees Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has attracted a barrage of criticism by keeping his Sports Direct and Evans Cycles shops open despite British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing on Monday that all non-essential shops should close. The businessman, already unpopular among Newcastle fans, has been the topic of much discussion on social media after Chris Wootton, the finance chief of Ashley’s Frasers Group, wrote to staff shortly after the Prime Minister’s statement. Shops selling non-essential items have been told to shut alongside a number of other restrictions intended to curb the spread of Covid-19. The message to Frasers Group staff read: “We stock a huge range of sports equipment for exercising at home from yoga mats, gym balls, skipping ropes, weights, indoor an...