British beauty retailer Bodycare has entered administration, leading to the permanent closure of its 32 stores. Reports indicate that some locations had already ceased trading earlier this week. Approximately 450 employees have been made redundant due to these closures.

The Bodycare website is currently unavailable, displaying a message stating: "Sorry the shop you are looking for is closed right now. Please try again later." The company, which offers products from well-known brands such as L'Oreal, Nivea, and Elizabeth Arden, has appointed advisors from Interpath Advisory to manage the administration process.

Founded in 1970 by Graham and Margaret Blackledge on a market stall in Lancashire, Bodycare has been owned by Baaj Capital since 2021. The chain operated 147 stores across the UK. The news of its impending administration was first reported by Sky News last week, which noted that Bodycare had recently secured a £7 million debt facility against its retail inventory prior to its collapse.

Bodycare's struggles reflect a broader trend affecting high street retailers. Last week, Poundland narrowly avoided administration after a restructuring plan was approved by a judge at the High Court. The retailer, which had been sold to private equity firm Gordon Brothers for just £1, announced plans to close 68 stores, impacting around 1,000 staff.

Similarly, River Island has recently secured a restructuring plan to prevent its collapse, resulting in the closure of 33 shops. The fashion retailer will also pay reduced rents on another 71 stores, with landlords being asked to cut rents for three years.

The full list of Bodycare store closures includes locations in Beverley, Cannock, Clydebank, Cramlington, Croydon, Darwen, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Erdington, Falkirk, Hemel Hempstead, Kirkcaldy, Loughborough, Lytham St Annes, Macclesfield, Maidstone, Morecambe, Newport, Northfield, Paisley, Parkhead, Perth, Port Talbot, Rhyl, Royton, Scunthorpe, Stourbridge, Tamworth, West Bromwich, Wood Green, and Wrexham.