Bodycare to close remaining 56 stores as administration ends high-street chain

Bodycare, the high-street health and beauty retailer, will close its remaining 56 stores this week, marking the end of its run after being placed into administration earlier this month. The closures will bring total store closures to about 150 since administrators at Interpath were appointed, and will result in roughly 450 redundancies, with more than 1,000 staff having already lost their jobs.

Interpath said the business had faced a series of compounding pressures in recent years, including rising rent and wage costs, a delayed shift to online sales, and the cost-of-living crisis that has weighed on customer demand. An initial public offering that had been planned for 2024 was abandoned, leaving a funding shortfall and strained supplier relationships that contributed to stock shortages. Despite the directors' best efforts, the administrators said the difficult decision to appoint administrators was necessary to protect remaining value. The closures will see all 444 employees who worked in Bodycare shops made redundant in the current wave.

Bodycare was founded in 1970 in Lancashire by Graham and Margaret Blackledge and grew into a chain that at its height employed about 1,500 people. It is currently owned by Baaj Capital, a family-run investment firm led by Jas Singh. Mr. Singh had secured a 7 million pound loan backed by the chain's inventory, but rescue efforts faltered as costs rose and funding tightened. Records on Companies House show 2023 accounts reporting debts of around 8.3 million pounds. The business has been run by retail veteran Tony Brown, formerly of BHS and Beales, and was known for carrying brands such as L94real, Elizabeth Arden and Nivea.

The demise of Bodycare adds to a string of high-street stress tests as other retailers pursue restructuring or exit plans. Retailers such as Claire’s have seen their UK and Ireland operations placed under administration, while discount chains and lenders have pursued store closures to shore up balance sheets. In a broader market note, the Office for National Statistics reported a 0.5% rise in retail sales volume last month, aided by favorable weather and a holiday weekend, though volumes remain below where they were three months ago as consumers navigate higher living costs. Clothing stores, butchers and bakers, and online shopping were among the stronger performers in the latest data.

Interpath said it would continue to explore options for Bodycare’s assets, including the Bodycare brand, and would provide further updates in due course. The high-street backdrop remains challenging as retailers adapt to shifting consumer habits and tighter funding conditions, even as some indicators show pockets of resilience in overall spending.