Administrators Begin Bodycare Store Closures as Sale Talks Continue

The joint administrators of G.R. & M.M. Blackledge plc, the long-established discount health and beauty retailer trading as Bodycare, have announced the closure of 30 stores as efforts continue to secure a buyer for the wider business.

In an update on the administration, the joint administrators confirmed that while interest has been received from multiple parties, the combination of stock shortages and high operating costs means it is no longer viable to keep all 115 stores trading. A closure programme has now been set in motion, with the first wave of stores shutting on 16 September and a second round on 18 September. Around 30 outlets in total will close, including sites in Bolton, Doncaster, Ilford and Shrewsbury, with all staff at the affected branches made redundant.

Nick Holloway, joint administrator and managing director at Interpath, said: “We’d like to express our sincere thanks to the hundreds of dedicated Bodycare staff who have shown such professionalism since our appointment. We will continue to trade the remaining 85 stores while we remain in discussions with interested parties with the aim of preserving as much of the business as possible.” He added that affected staff would be supported in making claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.

Founded in Preston in 1970, Bodycare grew from a single market stall into a chain of more than 100 shops across England, Scotland and Wales, competing on price against Boots, Superdrug and supermarkets. Its focus on value positioned it well with consumers during previous downturns, but the business has struggled with the shift to online retail, mounting competition from discount general retailers such as B&M and Home Bargains, and rising operating costs. The impact of inflation on rents, energy and wages, coupled with tightening credit from suppliers, placed further pressure on the company’s finances in the run-up to administration.

The company entered administration on 5 September 2025 after attempts to secure fresh funding failed. The administrators initially opted to continue trading the entire estate to provide a platform for a going-concern sale, but the lack of stock on shelves quickly undermined the viability of that strategy. Store closures are now being undertaken to cut losses while negotiations with potential buyers for the remaining 85 sites continue.

The case underscores the difficulties of running sales processes in consumer insolvencies where stock cannot be replenished at pace. Even with strong buyer interest, administrators often face a choice between burning cash to maintain an unsustainable trading estate or trimming down in order to preserve core value. For Bodycare, the question now is whether a transaction can be secured that salvages the brand and a substantial portion of the store network, or whether the closures will spread further in the weeks ahead.