High street health and beauty chain Bodycare announces closure of ALL 56 stores – resulting in 444 job losses

Administrators of beauty chain Bodycare have today announced the closure of its 56 remaining stores, resulting in 444 job losses. 

The high street stalwart, founded in Lancashire by Graham and Margaret Blackledge in 1970, had been seeking a rescue deal to save the company and its 1,500 employees. 

The business is currently owned by Baaj Capital, a family-run firm led by Jas Singh. 

Singh had obtained a £7million loan secured by the chain’s inventory, but efforts to steady the business failed. Some 450 people have already been made redundant.

Bodycare, known for selling brands like L’Oreal, Elizabeth Arden and Nivea, was profitable before the pandemic but racked up heavy losses despite receiving government support. 

The store, which sells toiletries, cosmetics, skincare products and fragrances, had 147 shops across the UK. 

Administrators of high street beauty chain Bodycare have announced the closure of its 56 remaining stores, resulting in 444 redundancies 

The business is run by retail veteran Tony Brown, formerly of BHS and Beales.

The chain joins a growing list of struggling high street chains – like River Island and Poundland – which have both sought drastic restructuring plans to survive. 

Shoppers trying to access Bodycare’s website are met with a message reading: ‘Sorry, the shop you are looking [for] is closed right now, please try again later.’

Records on Companies House show that the firm’s latest accounts from 2023 reveal debts of £8.3million.

In a statement, Interpath said Bodycare had ‘faced a number of challenges in recent years which have negatively impacted its financial position’.

It added: ‘This included rising costs, including rent and people costs, a delayed transition to its online retail platform, and the cost-of-living crisis impacting its customer base.

‘In addition, a planned IPO in 2024 was aborted which led to a shortfall in funding. This, in turn, placed strain on supplier relationships, resulting in a shortage of stock.

‘Despite the very best efforts of the directors to address these challenges, and with creditor pressure mounting, the difficult decision was taken to file for the appointment of administrators.’