All the Surrey Body Shop stores at risk of closure as fate of brand announced

The Body Shop branch in Guildford High Street
-Credit: (Image: Google Maps)


Surrey could lose another major high street brand in the near future as the fate of The Body Shop has now been confirmed. Back in February, it was announced that the health and beauty retailer had fallen into administration.

Shortly after this announcement, a number of The Body Shop branches across the nation shut their doors for good. This included those in Camberley, Epsom and Woking.

Alongside these closures, The Body Shop at Home service was also shut down. A total of 500 shop staff and 270 workers at head office have lost their jobs. Administrators, FRP Advisory, have confirmed that the 100 remaining shops are now up for sale with the rest of the assets of the business.

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For the time being, the stores will stay open and continue to operate as normal. However, if a buyer is not found then they will have to close and the business as a whole wound up.

An FRP Advisory spokesman said: "Following the appointment of joint administrators in February efforts have been made to stabilise the business of TBSI [The Body Shop International] and effect various restructuring initiatives. To date there have been efforts to deliver a rescue of TBSI by proposing a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) to creditors.

“Prior to launching a CVA efforts have been made to engage with key stakeholders to agree terms on various matters. Despite the engagement of various parties, it has not been possible to reach the necessary agreements for a CVA to be launched.

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"The joint administrators have therefore decided to commence a sale process for the underlying business and assets of TBSI. We remain encouraged by the level of interest received to date from interested parties."

This news follows the loss of multiple other high street staples in recent years, including Wilko, Paperchase and Debenhams. The Body Shop currently operates three stores in and around Surrey, which could now close if a buyer is not found.

Surrey’s remaining branches of The Body Shop

  • Guildford High Street - 122-124 High Street Guildford, GU1 3HQ

  • Staines - North Mall, Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, Staines, TW18 4QB

  • Kingston-upon-Thames - 63 Clarence Street Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 1RB

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