The Body Shop has announced the closure of seven of its stores in the UK today just days after unveiling plans to appoint administrators.
The High Street chain will close four LondonĀ stores in Surrey Quays, Oxford Street Bond Street, Canary Wharf and CheapsideĀ as well as shops in Nuneaton in Warwickshire, Ashford Town Centre in Kent and Queens Road in Bristol.Ā
The closures are part of the franchise’s ‘restructuring plan’ to ‘secure’ the future of the business, with additional closures expected to follow.Ā
More than half of The Body Shopās 198 UK stores will remain open after the ‘restructuring’ process, while the number of staff in its head office is expected to reduce by around 40% to 400 full time employees.
The business announced it entered administration last week and said it will continue to trade both in-store and online while plans are made for the future of the beloved high street brand.Ā
Have YOU lost your job at Body Shop? Email: arthur.parashar@mailonline.co.ukĀ
Body Shop has announced the closure of seven of its stores in the UK today
![The Body Shop at Surrey Quays was closed today with a notice left on the shutters](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/16/81494229-13104705-image-a-27_1708446205158.jpg)
The Body Shop at Surrey Quays was closed today with a notice left on the shutters
![The seven Body Shop stores that will close today. They includeĀ four London stores in Surrey Quays, Oxford Street Bond Street, Canary Wharf and Cheapside as well as shops in Nuneaton in Warwickshire, Ashford Town Centre in Kent and Queens Road in Bristol](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81491885-13104705-image-a-26_1708443186022.jpg)
The seven Body Shop stores that will close today. They includeĀ four London stores in Surrey Quays, Oxford Street Bond Street, Canary Wharf and Cheapside as well as shops in Nuneaton in Warwickshire, Ashford Town Centre in Kent and Queens Road in Bristol
The Body Shop said in a statement today: ‘After years of unprofitability and following a full evaluation of The Body Shopās UK business, the Joint Administrators have concluded that the current store portfolio mix is no longer viable.Ā
‘As an immediate step, seven stores will close today, with additional closures to follow. It is expected that at the conclusion of the restructuring, more than half of The Body Shopās 198 UK stores will remain open.
‘Following the earlier sale of loss-making businesses in much of mainland Europe and parts of Asia, and to support a simplified business, The Body Shop will also restructure roles in its Head Office to align with this forward-looking strategy and more nimble, financially viable model.Ā
‘The Head Office headcount is expected to reduce by approximately 40%, to a future headcount of over 400 full time employees. The Joint Administrators have also decided The Body Shop Ambassador programme will close.
‘This swift action will help re-energise The Body Shopās iconic brand and provide it with the best platform to achieve its ambition to be a modern, dynamic beauty brand that is able to return to profitability and compete for the long term.’
The Body ShopĀ entered administration last week with jobs at risk across the brand’s 200-plus UK stores.Ā
The beloved chain currently employs 10,000 people across 3,000 stores it operates in more than 70 countries around the world – with a further 12,000 staff working in franchises.
![The Body Shop store on Cheapside, central London, that has closed today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/16/81494207-13104705-image-a-29_1708446246504.jpg)
The Body Shop store on Cheapside, central London, that has closed today
![A sign in the window of The Body Shop store on Cheapside that has closed today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/16/81494205-13104705-image-a-30_1708446263905.jpg)
A sign in the window of The Body Shop store on Cheapside that has closed today
![The Body Shop at Surrey Quays was closed today with a notice left on the shutters](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/16/81494223-13104705-image-a-31_1708446318775.jpg)
The Body Shop at Surrey Quays was closed today with a notice left on the shutters
![The letter apologised to customers and asked if they could continue to support The Body Shop 'online or at your nearest store'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/16/81494227-13104705-image-a-32_1708446322511.jpg)
The letter apologised to customers and asked if they could continue to support The Body Shop ‘online or at your nearest store’
![The Body Shop store on Oxford Street, central London, that has closed today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/16/81494193-13104705-image-a-33_1708446337612.jpg)
The Body Shop store on Oxford Street, central London, that has closed today
![A sign on the shutters at The Body Shop store on Oxford Street reads: 'Sadly our store is now closed. Thanks you for all your love - it's meant a lot'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/16/81494191-13104705-image-a-34_1708446342650.jpg)
A sign on the shutters at The Body Shop store on Oxford Street reads: ‘Sadly our store is now closed. Thanks you for all your love – it’s meant a lot’
![Ian Knight and daughter Isla, 15, pictured outside the Bournemouth branch of The Body Shop last week. Ian said it was a 'real shame' the company had entered administration](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81232963-13104705-Ian_Knight_and_daughter_Isla_15_pictured_outside_the_Bournemouth-a-22_1708441977036.jpg)
Ian Knight and daughter Isla, 15, pictured outside the Bournemouth branch of The Body Shop last week. Ian said it was a ‘real shame’ the company had entered administrationĀ
![Nigel Scott, 55, (pictured) who works in insurance, said he had been shopping at the Body Shop for 30 years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81232959-13104705-Nigel_Scott_55_pictured_who_works_in_insurance_said_he_had_been_-a-23_1708441980731.jpg)
Nigel Scott, 55, (pictured) who works in insurance, said he had been shopping at the Body Shop for 30 years
FRP Advisory has been brought in to handle the insolvency process just weeks after a new owner took control having vowed to ‘re-energise the business’.Ā
The administration currently only affects UK staff and stores.
In a statement last week it said ‘administrators will now consider all options to find a way forward for the business and will update creditors and employees in due course’.
The business will continue to trade both in-store and online while plans are made for the future of the beloved high street brand.
Created in 1976, founder Dame Anita Roddick went from selling products in urine sample bottles to save money to becoming a multi-millionaire with a cosmetic empire in a matter of years.
The brand, known for its humanitarian focus, was the high street go-to for beauty products long before celebrity perfume ranges and beauty websites took over.
Ian Knight, 55, a business owner out shopping with his two daughters, reacted to the brand’s announcement that it would be entering administration
He said: ‘It is a real shame. Most of the high street is suffering in terms of footfall.
‘The cost of living crisis is biting hard and people are being more cautious about how they spend their money.
‘It just feels like Amazon is getting stronger and stronger and that makes it so hard for the likes of The Body Shop.’
![The Body Shop wasĀ sold to L'Oreal for Ā£675million by founder Dame Anita Roddick in 2006](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81196681-13104705-The_Body_Shop_was_sold_to_L_Oreal_for_675million_by_founder_Dame-a-14_1708441792495.jpg)
The Body Shop wasĀ sold to L’Oreal for Ā£675million by founder Dame Anita Roddick in 2006
![Anita launched The Body Shop in 1976 to provide for her two children. She is pictured outside one of her first stores in October 1985](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81164815-13104705-Anita_Roddick_launched_The_Body_Shop_in_1976_to_provide_for_her_-a-20_1708441926357.jpg)
Anita launched The Body Shop in 1976 to provide for her two children. She is pictured outside one of her first stores in October 1985
![It is also famed for its signature White Musk eau de toilette](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81208003-13104705-It_is_also_famed_for_its_signature_White_Musk_eau_de_toilette-a-18_1708441806060.jpg)
![The signature scent has survived several rebrands and continues to be a top seller (right)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81207993-13104705-The_signature_scent_has_survived_several_rebrands_and_continues_-a-19_1708441806094.jpg)
It is also famed for its signature White Musk eau de toilette (left) – which has survived several rebrands and continues to be a top seller (right)
![The Body Shop, the near 50-year-old cosmetics company renowned for its ethical hair and skin products, is struggling financially in the UK](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81196677-13104705-The_Body_Shop_the_near_50_year_old_cosmetics_company_renowned_fo-a-24_1708442739039.jpg)
The Body Shop, the near 50-year-old cosmetics company renowned for its ethical hair and skin products, is struggling financially in the UK
![The Body Shop fans have called for a reintroduction of their retro products, including perfume oil (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/20/15/81197033-13104705-The_Body_Shop_fans_have_been_left_heartbroken_following_the_news-a-25_1708442742543.jpg)
The Body Shop fans have called for a reintroduction of their retro products, including perfume oil (pictured)
Teacher Lily Taylor, 31, said she had been going to the Body Shop since she was a child, while her mother did Body Shop parties.
They have products which are compatible with her allergies and she was not sure where to shop now.
She said: ‘I always buy their products so I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I have a lot of allergies so I find their stuff is better for my skin.
‘I think a lot of shops are going through the same thing but it is still a shock to see them in administration.
‘My mother used to do Body Shop parties so I don’t want to have to break the news to her. Everyone going online is having a huge impact on the high street.’
Nigel Scott, 55, who works in insurance, said he had been shopping at the Body Shop for 30 years and his son and daughter gave him an extra long shopping list when they heard about its uncertain future.
He said: ‘It’s sad. I’ve been coming here for 30 years. They have been through many hands and maybe the ethical stuff they stood for lost its shine.’
Following the announcement last week, social media was also full of reaction from those who feared the worst for the beleaguered firm.
One former worker recalled on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Sad news about The Body Shop. Still one of my fave jobs ever when I was a student, worked weekends Oxford St & Kings Rd in late 90s.
‘Met some amazing people (cool celebs too) & fell in love with skincare & makeup.’
One Londoner wrote: ‘If the body shop in centre court (Centre Court Shopping Centre in Wimbledon) goes I will actually cry.’