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Thousands of retail jobs at risk after Asos takeover of Arcadia
Usdaw describes the move as ‘another devastating blow for our high streets’ and warns ‘administrators have refused to engage’ with the union
Many shops remain closed on the High Street in Leicester during England's third national lockdown

RETAIL union Usdaw has demanded government action to protect livelihoods after Asos confirmed its takeover of several major high-street brands today, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

The online-only firm has bought fashion brands Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT from “bandit capitalist” Sir Philip Green’s failed retail group Arcadia in a deal worth £295 million.

Chief executive Nick Beighton said that Asos was “looking at” the possibility of retaining Topshop’s Oxford Circus store in central London, but that all other outlets are to close  — leaving 2,500 workers facing redundancy.

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