Founder buys back part of JJB

The survival hopes of JJB Sports were boosted today after founder Dave Whelan confirmed his purchase of the chain’s fitness clubs business.

The deal will ease the pressure on the troubled retailer, which is saddled with around £60m (€65m) in debts.

Mr Whelan, who set up the Wigan-based group in the 1970s but sold his stake in 2007, will rebrand the gyms as DW Sports Fitness.com.