Billionaire retail tycoon Mike Ashley has written to all his staff telling them Frasers Group stores - including Sports Direct and House of Fraser – could potentially reopen next month.
Mr Ashley sent a letter to the group's employees thanking them for their support during lockdown and explaining that while not guaranteed, the company may start to reopen branches from June 1.
He also said staff would get 100 per cent of their salary for May - including those on casual contracts and those who are furloughed.
In a stock market announcement, Frasers Group said senior management would remain on a "reduced annual salary" capped at £40,000 and Mr Ashley will not be drawing a salary.
“The Frasers Group is nothing without its people, and I want to thank them all for their continued support and hard work," Mr Ashley said.
Frasers Group came under criticism when Sports Direct was among the last firms to close high street shops at the start of lockdown, having initially said they would remain open.
The retailer finally closed its doors after initially saying its high street shops would continue to sell sports and fitness equipment amid the Covid-19 crisis, but its factories and warehouses remained open to service online deliveries.
Frasers Group is among a number of high street chains looking to reopen next month, including Kurt Geiger which said it will have strict new rules for trying on footwear.
