Bodycare to shut remaining stores, 444 jobs cut as administrators deem business unviable
56 stores to close by Saturday; sale of the stores unlikely; administrators pledge support for affected workers
Bodycare, the Lancashire-born discount toiletries retailer, will shut its remaining 56 stores, with about 444 jobs to be cut as administrators say the business is no longer viable to continue trading and closures are expected to take place by this Saturday.
Interpath, the administrator, said the decision followed a view that continuing to trade was no longer viable and that a sale of the stores was now unlikely.
A spokesperson for the administrators said the company would 'continue to provide all support to those impacted' as closures proceed.
Nick Holloway, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said the firm would 'continue to explore options for the Company's assets, including the Bodycare brand, and will provide further updates in due course'.
Bodycare was founded in Lancashire in 1970. Its stores were known for bright lighting and window displays that often featured piles of toilet tissue or pyramids of washing-up powder, with warehouse-style display shelves packed with goods such as lip balm, perfume, false nails and foot cream.
The decision to wind down will see the Bodycare brand and other assets examined for potential future use, while the remaining stores complete scheduled closures over the coming days.