CAMPAIGNERS protested outside a city-centre shop to help staff get better pay and working conditions.

Members of the Unite group handed out leaflets to members of staff at the Sports Direct WestQuay centre store, before holding a demonstration on Above Bar Street, getting the attention of the Saturday shoppers.

The union has criticised the founder of the sporting goods company, Mike Ashley, for his allegedly poor treatment of staff and the number of employees on zero hour contracts.

Organiser of the rally Simon Cotton, addressed passers-by through a megaphone asking Sports Directs officials to “have a heart this valentine’s day” and to give workers permanent contracts.

Political director for Unite the Union, Jenni Formby said the demonstration was not about causing a fuss, but to put pressure on the likes of Mike Ashley.

She said: “What we want to do is to help publicise the conditions that people who are employed by Sports Direct are put in.

“A number of the staff we spoke to in the store supported what we had to say, what we want is for everyone to have a fixed contract that is only fair.”

It has been well documented the conditions of employees at Sports Direct store across the country and in their main warehouses, and this is something Unite believes should be eradicated.

Even with a promised pay rise, there is still a high percentage of staff on zero-hour contracts.

“Young people should know what they are working on a day to day basis, not working 20 hours one week, 50 the next and then none at all,” adds Jenni.

“We want to raise this awareness, not just in Sports direct but to all those people who are on zero-hour contracts under David Cameron’s reign.”