Sports Direct hits out at Guardian

13th Apr 2016 08:05

(ShareCast News) - Sports Direct hit out at the Guardian on Wednesday morning, defending its new shop-and-office property deal on Oxford Street in London's West End.The newspaper reported the deal on Tuesday, and highlighted the fact that it was overseen by Michael Murray - the boyfriend of Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley's eldest daughter Anna.Murray was appointed to oversee the retailer's property portfolio last year, which raised concerns at the time as he had little experience with commercial property."This property is a perfect strategic fit. The group has had a long-standing interest in acquiring a flagship site in London for a 20,000 sq ft Flannels.com store along with 20,000 sq ft of prestige office space to replace New Cavendish Street, which was sold for £44m last May," Sports Direct said in a statement."The deal vindicates the group's faith in Michael Murray, who has successfully played a pivotal role executing the property strategy. This is one of the hottest freehold sites in London, superbly located in the mid-section of Oxford Street to the east of Oxford Circus," it added.