Bodycare

GR & MM Blackledge plc
Bodycare
IndustryHealth and beauty
Founded1970 (1970)
FoundersGraham and Margaret Blackledge
Defunct27 September 2025 (2025-09-27)
FateAdministration
Websitebodycareonline.co.uk

GR & MM Blackledge plc (trading as Bodycare) was a British health and beauty retailer, founded in 1970, which had 130 stores in the United Kingdom.[1][2][3][4]

History

In 1970, Bodycare was founded by Graham and Margaret Blackledge.[5]

The Blackledges sold Bodycare to Baaj Capital in 2022.[6] In June 2023, Baaj Capital announced it would engage in expanding its estate in Southern England, and would introduce a loyalty card.[7]

On 26 August 2025, it was announced that Bodycare was on the brink of collapse.[8] On 5 September 2025, it was announced that the company had entered administration; 32 of the 147 retail stores it owns faced immediate closure, leading to 450 job losses.[9][10] A further 30 store closures were announced two weeks later.[11] With no buyer being found, on September 22, it was announced that all remaining stores would close by the September 27.[12]

References

  1. ^ Wales, Bethany (24 June 2024). "Bodycare edges toward the black as it reveals huge expansion plan". City AM. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Health and beauty chain Bodycare in race to avert collapse". Sky News. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  3. ^ Hodgson, Neil (26 August 2025). "Fears for 1,500 jobs at Lancashire health and beauty retailer, Bodycare | TheBusinessDesk.com". North West. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  4. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  5. ^ Bhoora, Ritika. "Q&A: Bodycare's Tony Brown on building a 'truly national brand'". Retail Week. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  6. ^ Bhoora, Ritika. "Exclusive: Bodycare sales rise as it eyes southern expansion". Retail Week. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  7. ^ Bhoora, Ritika. "Exclusive: Bodycare eyes raft of new stores as part of southern expansion plans". Retail Week. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  8. ^ Rodger, James (26 August 2025). "Major UK health and beauty chain with 130 shops in race to avoid collapse". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Beauty chain Bodycare to close 32 stories in administration". BBC News. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  10. ^ "High street beauty chain Bodycare to close 32 stores with 450 job losses". Sky News. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  11. ^ Mistry, Pritti (15 September 2025). "Beauty chain Bodycare to shut a further 30 stores". BBC News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  12. ^ Mistry, Pritti (22 September 2025). "Bodycare to shut remaining stores with loss of 444 jobs". BBC News. Retrieved 22 September 2025.