THE billionaire founder of Sports Direct Mike Ashley paid a surprise visit to House of Fraser in Glasgow following his take over.

Ashley was spotted on Buchanan Street before he was given a tour of the retail outlet on Friday afternoon.

We reported last month that he paid £90million for 59 House of Fraser stores and all of the stock after the retailer went into administration.

The ex-Rangers shareholder revealed his plan was “to transform House of Fraser into the Harrods of the high street”. He also wants to keep as many shops as possible open.

Staff, however, are concerned about their future with the company.

One long-serving staff member told the Daily Record: “Ashley says he’s going to make us the Harrods of the high street – but that’s not how it’s working out so far.

“There’s a big space in the store now selling Firetrap casual clothing, which is a Sports Direct brand.

“The whole idea is pile them high and sell them cheap, just like Sports Direct. It’s certainly not looking like House of Fraser is going to be the kind of quality outlet people are used to.

“We’re happy to have him visiting the store – he does now own it, after all, so he can do what he likes.

“We just hope when he’s here he’ll see that we desperately need investment. We don’t need to be turned into a massive Sports Direct store.”