The Body Shop has announced it is closing half of its stores in the UK – including seven today and cutting 40% of roles at its London-based head office.

It comes after the embattled retailer entered administration last week, putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk.

The Body Shop has roughly 200 outlets across the UK.

Administrators said that the brand’s current portfolio is no longer viable after “years of unprofitability”.

The seven stores closing today are:

• Surrey Quays (London)

• Oxford Street Bond Street (London)

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• Canary Wharf (London)

• Cheapside (London)

• Nuneaton (Warwickshire)

• Ashford Town Centre (Kent)

• Bristol Queens Road (Bristol)

Following the closures “more than half” of the remaining 198 outlets will remain open, the administrators said, confirming Sky News reporting.

Roughly 40% of head office jobs are to go, the announcement said with numbers falling to 400 full-time employees.

According to the latest company accounts, The Body Shop had 927 administrative staff and 1,641 store workers in 2022.

As part of the restructuring there will be a “renewed focus” on products, online sales channels and wholesale.

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