Full List of 115 beauty chain stores at risk as 32 permanently close following administration

A BRITISH beauty chain collapsed into administration and abruptly shut 32 stores yesterday.

Bodycare, which begun as a market stall in Lancashire back in the 1970s and has 147 UK stores, appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory.

Currently, 115 stores remain open and are trading as usual while administrators explore options for the future of the business[/caption]

Exactly 32 stores closed with immediate effect, with around 450 employees made redundant.

Several stores began clearance sales and shut their doors just hours before administrators were appointed.

Stores in Wrexham, Beverley, Morecambe, and Yorkshire were cleared out earlier this week, while the Bodycare website remains offline.

When a company goes into administration, control is handed over to an appointed administrator.

The administrator is responsible for managing the company’s assets and operations to repay any outstanding debts to creditors.

Currently, 115 stores remain open and are trading as usual while administrators explore options for the future of the business.

However, if a buyer cannot be found, further store closures may occur.

Like many of its peers, Bodycare has felt the burn of risings cost coupled with shoppers having less money to spend at the till.

Nick Holloway, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “These remain challenging times for high street retailers as rising costs and reduced consumer spending continue to weigh heavily on trading.

“Unfortunately for Bodycare, which was also contending with a significant funding gap and increasing creditor pressure, these challenges proved too difficult to overcome.”

Once a thriving business, Bodycare – famous for offering top brands such as L’Oréal and Nivea – has been grappling with financial troubles since the pandemic.

Founded over 50 years ago at a market stall in Lancashire, the company had spent months working with advisory firm Interpath and its owners, Baaj Capital, to secure a rescue plan.

Its current owners, Baaj Capital – run by Jas Singh – recently obtained a £7million loan against the company’s stock to buy time, but efforts to stabilise the business failed.

Bodycare’s downfall adds to the growing list of struggling high street retailers.

Trouble on the high street

Recently, River Island and Poundland avoided going into administration by getting creditors to agree to restructuring plans, which included closing stores and cutting jobs.

River Island will close up to 33 stores in January to help write off the fashion brand’s debts.

Locations in major UK cities including Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Brighton and Perth are all expected to close.

Poundland’s restructuring will see the chain close a total of 68 stores.

The restructure also includes rent cuts at up to 180 stores and the closure of its frozen food and online shopping.

Meanwhile, the Darton frozen food distribution centre will shut later this year.

This will mean online shopping and frozen food will no longer be offered by Poundland.

The Bilston national distribution centre is also set to close in early 2026.

Come September 16, shoppers will no longer be able to buy products online and its loyalty scheme, Poundland Perks, will be axed.

Customers who have signed up to the Poundland Perks app have until January 15, 2026, to use their reward vouchers.

But Poundland plans to expand its £1 product range and focus on womenswear and seasonal items if the restructure goes ahead.

Meanwhile, fashion retailer New Look has closed a dozen sites in the UK this year and also exited Ireland.

Last month, Claire’s also collapsed into administration and stopped online orders for its customers.

Plus, H&M-owned fashion chain Monki closed the last of its high street stores in August.