Full list of The Body Shop stores across UK closing down immediately

The Body Shop has announced it will close seven of its UK stores immediately today (February 20) after falling into administration last week. As part of a heavy restructure, the cosmetics chain is planning to close almost half of its 198 shops in total across the country.

The British group employs around 1,500 workers across its UK shops, with hundreds of these expected to face redundancy as a result of the proposed closures. The company will cut around 270 head office jobs, leaving it with around 400 workers at its London headquarters.

Founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon, The Body Shop was one of first companies to promote so-called 'ethical consumerism', focusing on ethically produced cosmetics and skincare products.

READ MORE: Warning over UK's 'most invasive' plant spotted in Greater Manchester town

Following years of financial struggles, the cosmetics, skin care, and perfume company hired administrators to assess offers for the brand and its assets. The dramatic overhaul comes only weeks after new owners, European private equity firm Aurelius, took control of the business.

The full list of stores closing their doors today (February 20) is as follows:

Surrey Quays London

Oxford Street London

Canary Wharf London

Cheapside London

Nuneaton

Ashford town centre Kent

Queens Road Bristol.

The remaining stores will continue to operate until further updates from the insolvency experts overseeing the process.

Announcing the closures, administrators for FRP Advisory said in a statement on Tuesday: "After years of unprofitability and following a full evaluation of The Body Shop’s UK business, the Joint Administrators have concluded that the current store portfolio mix is no longer viable.

"As an