The Body Shop has announced the closure of seven stores in the UK, just days after revealing plans to appoint administrators. The high street chain, which operates 198 stores nationwide, will shut around half of them, with head office staff reduced by approximately 40% to 400 full-time employees.
The seven stores confirmed for closure include four in London: Surrey Quays, 374 Oxford Street, Canary Wharf and Cheapside. Other locations are Nuneaton in Warwickshire, Ashford Town Centre in Kent and Queens Road in Bristol. The company said it will continue trading both in-store and online while administrators assess the future of the brand.
Founded in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop was a pioneer in ethical cosmetics, banning animal testing and promoting fair trade. Roddick, a human rights activist, also founded the charity Children on the Edge. She died in 2007, leaving her entire £15 million fortune to charity.
