A LOCAL cycling store is set for closure after a takeover by Sports Direct. 

A total of six Evans Cycles branches are facing closure in the first wave of changes with the Braehead store likely to shut down. 

It will join branches in Brentford, Durham, Fulham, Holborn and Kendal in closing its doors in the near future.

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Mike Ashley's Sports Direct bought the retailer out of administration in late October, saying it expected to keep roughly half the stores open.

Evans employs 1,300 people and has 62 sites.

Steve Trowbridge, chief executive of Evans Cycles, said: "We hope landlords will be reasonable and support our turnaround plan, now that we have stability due to backing from Sports Direct. However, we must remain competitive, and sadly we are now in consultation with staff at these stores."

Sports Direct said it was engaging in positive discussions with landlords in its bid to save at least 50% of the stores.

The Gazette:

Mike Ashley 

It comes in the same week Mr Ashley told MPs a new digital tax must be implemented to save the high street.

The tycoon said any retailer that makes more than 20% of its sales online should be subject to an additional tax.

"The internet is killing the high street," he told a select committee.

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It emerged that Evans had hit financial difficulties in September after it held talks with lenders to seek an urgent capital injection.

It was the culmination of a difficult year in which extended winter weather hurt trading and a lack of cashflow prevented investment.