Body Shop launches closing down sales as five shops to shut for good in days (Image: Getty)
In what’s seen as another blow to British shoppers, branches across England will turn off their lights for good next week.
The prominent has already had to bid farewell to three locations in Hove, Cambridge Hills Road and Cambridge Petty Cury after the chain went into administration in February last year.
With the clock ticking, are already in full swing at the on Wednesday, January 15.
Two sites in Devon are among those that will shut, much to the dismay of local shoppers.
Customers were met with solemn news upon visiting The Body Shop in the Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter, where a heartfelt sign read: “Dear valued customer, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of the Harsant Franchise of The Body Shop in Exeter and Plymouth.”
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The iconic beauty and skincare chain went into administration on February 13, 2024 (Image: Getty)
It continues, poignantly thanking the community for 45 years of support: “We want to express our dearest gratitude for your loyalty and support over the 45 years that we have been trading in Exeter. Our last business will be on January 15, 2025.”
Social media is abuzz with shoppers sharing their dismay at the news. Sentences such as “It’ll be a massive loss for Exeter and the Guildhall Centre” and “Oh noo, I love The Body Shop, so sorry to hear this! ” highlight the sense of community loss.
The Body Shop has confirmed that Horsham, Norwich and Sheffield branches will also cease trading next Wednesday.
Nostalgia will surround The Castle Street store in Norwich as it prepares to close after an impressive 44-year history.
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The high street giant was founded on March 27, 1976 in Brighton by Dame Anita Roddick (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, The Body Shop’s Orchard Square branch in Sheffield will close on January 15 after more than three decades of trade.
Tim Boaler, director of Powerfirm Limited, the franchise operator, told The Star: “After 34 years in Orchard Square and the city of Sheffield, it is with great sadness that we have to announce the closure of our Body Shop store.”
He added: “This has been difficult news to manage, particularly for our tremendously loyal—and in many cases long-serving—staff and for our many loyal customers.”
The Body Shop stores closing in January
- Cambridge Petty Cury – closed January 5, 2025
- Exeter – closing January 15, 2025
- Horsham – closing January 15, 2025
- Norwich – closing January 15, 2025
- Plymouth – closing January 15, 2025
- Sheffield – closing January 15, 2025
- Hove – closed September 2024
- Cambridge Hills Road – closed December 28, 2024
A fresh wave of closures comes after The Body Shop was rescued from administration last year, resulting in the closure of 82 branches and hundreds of job losses before being acquired by Auréa, a growth capital firm, in September.
At the time, Auréa insisted there were no immediate intentions to shutter any more of The Body Shop’s remaining 113 outlets but conceded that cost control is critical following the firm’s fiscal difficulties.
A representative revealed: “As with any business, particularly one that has ended up in administration, there is a need to manage costs, but we believe that the stores are an important part of the brand’s connection to its customers.”