All remaining Bodycare stores to close as administrator fails to find buyer

The retailer fell into administration on September 5, immediately closing 32 of its 147 shops with the loss of 450 jobs. A further 30 were closed last week, brining the total number of affected staff to 685 across the UK. 

However, while even last week administrators Interpath were still hopeful of striking a deal to save the business, time has run out for the brand’s physical store estate, putting more than 400 more high street retail jobs at risk. 

A spokeswoman for the administrators said that while “discussions remain ongoing” with parties interested in the business, “it is with regret that the administrators confirm that a sale of the stores is now unlikely”.

That means a further 444 Bodycare staff will be made redundant when the stores close on September 27. 

Until the brand entered administration, Bodycare employed around 1,500 people in the UK. 

Nick Holloway, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “We understand this has been a difficult period and so we want to further express our sincere thanks to Bodycare’s staff who, since day one of the administration, have maintained the strong standards of presentation and customer service that Bodycare was renowned for.”

He added: “We will continue to explore options for the Company’s assets, including the Bodycare brand, and will provide further updates in due course.”

It was founded in Lancashire in 1970 and is known for offering warehouse-style display shelves packed with goods such as lip balm, perfume, false nails and foot cream. 

Bodycare’s woes have been blamed on factors such as rising rents and the “challenging times” which retailers are confronting.