The Body Shop to close half of UK stores as long-running beauty brand enters administration

The Body Shop is set to close half of its stores in the UK after the chain entered administration earlier this month.

Administrators FRP Advisory, who were appointed earlier this month, added around 270 head office jobs will also be cut.

The company has 198 stores in the UK, and it is understood seven will close on Tuesday.

The stores immediately impacted by the closures include four based in London, in Surrey Quays, Oxford Street Bond Street, Canary Wharf, and Cheapside.

Stores in Nuneaton in Warwickshire, Ashford Town Centre in Kent, and Bristol Queen’s Road in Bristol will also be closing immediately.

It comes as parts of the business such as The Body Shop At Home were closed down last month.

The company, which was launched by the late Dame Anita Roddick in 1976, has been a popular fixture on the high street for decades.

The Body Shop marketed itself on ethically sourced and naturally-based ingredients from around the world and was the the first international beauty brand to campaign against animal testing in cosmetics.

The business changed hands three times since it was sold by Dame Roddick in 2006, shortly before her death the following year.

The Body Shop was purchased by new owners, European private equity firm Aurelius, just weeks ago.