Staff have been locked out of their offices following a dispute between their employer and sportswear giant Sports Direct.
Direct Golf UK employees were forced to leave the premises, on Bankwell Road, Milnsbridge, after staff reportedly hired by Sports Direct appeared unannounced to change the locks.
The dispute is alleged to stem from a battle for control over Direct Golf between its owner, John Andrew, and Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley.
Direct Golf filed for administration on Thursday following a slump in profits and after advice from insolvency firm Begbies Traynor.
However, Sports Direct, which owns a 25% share in Direct Golf, is thought to have filed wind-up proceedings against the Huddersfield company.
It is thought Sports Direct, which hit the headlines over accusations of its ‘Victorian’ treatment of its warehouse staff and for its ‘misleading’ retail practices, filed proceedings to ‘gazump’ Begbies Traynor.
Sports Direct, it is understood, intends to do a pre-pack deal with administrators hired by Mr Ashley's company.
Battle for Direct Golf UK
Mr Andrew, a former professional golfer who runs 20 Direct Golf stores, says he was removed from his post as a director without warning by Sports Direct.
Today the Examiner found security guards outside the Milnsbridge offices.
Mr Andrew said he would be speaking to his staff on Monday and that he hoped to 'put their minds at rest'.
He said: "Some of these people have been working for me for 10 years and I'm going to invite them to a meeting and send them letters to put their minds at rest."
Mr Andrew added: "I'm still in negotiations with Sports Direct."
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