Revealed! How detail of Mike Ashley's Frasers Group letter highlights Newcastle United takeover intentions – but points finger at PCP Consortium

Last night the Daily Mail broke the news that staff at the stadium store were at risk of redundancy and Ashley was set to shut the doors ahead of new, as yet unannounced, shirt producer Castore taking up base in the soon-to-be vacant Gallowgate End unit.

Communications with staff, seen by the Gazette, reveal the real reasons given by Frasers Group for the closure – with Ashley’s company confirming the ‘anticipated’ takeover and the will of the buyers – the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben Brothers – as justification for putting jobs at risk.

Staff were sent a letter, an excerpt of which reads: “As confirmed in the announcement due to the anticipated transfer of ownership of the club, it has been confirmed the new owners are not looking to TUPE any of the current employers over to the new owners of Newcastle Football Club.”

TUPE stands for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations. It is legislation put in place to protect employees when a business changes hands, moving all liabilities and employment responsibilities from old owner to new.

The document, signed by area manager Ian Moody, reveals Frasers Group anticipate vacating the store on or before Sunday, April 25.

In the meantime, a consultation process has been entered with shop roles now “placed at risk of redundancy”. The document does, however, claim the group are “keen to avoid redundancies” and will look to find “alternative roles” for employees ‘at risk’ across the organisation.

The club store has not been closed for much of the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Today, however, it was open to customers, with staff present but tasked with loading stock into boxes.

Club sources, when approached, claimed the shop will close but only for refurbishment. Newcastle United declined to comment officially.

It’s not known whether the consortium have given their backing to the sending out of said communication.

Frasers Group has been approached for comment.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription; sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor