Bodycare has officially announced the closure of its remaining 56 stores by this Saturday, resulting in 444 job losses. The decision follows the company’s recent plunge into administration.
Initially, Bodycare had disclosed the immediate closure of 32 stores, followed shortly by another announcement confirming the permanent closure of an additional 30 stores. Despite efforts by advisors at Interpath to manage the administration process, no potential buyers were secured for the stores.
Nick Holloway, the managing director at Interpath, expressed gratitude towards Bodycare’s staff for maintaining the brand’s high standards during the administration period. The administrators are still exploring options for the company’s assets, including the Bodycare brand.
Established in 1970 by Graham and Margaret Blackledge, Bodycare has been under the ownership of Baaj Capital since 2021. The retailer offers products from renowned beauty brands such as L’Oreal, Nivea, and Elizabeth Arden.
The closure of Bodycare’s stores adds to a series of setbacks for high street retailers, with Poundland recently being acquired by private equity firm Gordon Brothers for a symbolic £1. Poundland’s restructuring plans initially included shutting down 68 stores, but 11 closures have been postponed. The company anticipates reducing its total number of stores to around 650 to 700 as leases expire.
In a similar vein, Claire’s entered administration for its UK and Ireland operations following bankruptcy in the US. Interpath administrators are actively seeking potential buyers to secure the chain’s presence on British high streets.
The list of Bodycare stores scheduled for closure this week has been released, while the stores already closed are also noted.
