Basingstoke shoppers react as The Body Shop enters administration

The Body Shop officially entered administration on Tuesday, February 13 with hundreds of stores and jobs now at risk.

FRP Advisory has been brought in to handle an insolvency process just weeks since the new owners took control of the cosmetics retailer.

A Gazette reporter spoke to shoppers in Festival Place and many of them said they regularly use the store in Basingstoke and would be sad if it closed.

READ MORE: The Body Shop officially enters administration in the UK

Justine Sebon who is from Andover has used the shop for years.

The brand is known to be cruelty free with its products being vegan friendly.

Justine Sebon who is from Andover has used the shop for years (Image: Newsquest)

The 57-year-old said: "I’m vegetarian, so I’ve been against animal testing since I was a teenager. There’s lots of others on the market which I think is part of the problem. I do feel sorry that a high street place is potentially closing.

“We had one in Andover that shut down. So, I would be sad to see this go and for the people who work there. It’s a problem, where we live in Andover, it’s a dead high street, but I think we’ve all done that to ourselves with online shopping.”

Another shopper, Ms Mildenhaw, 78, who is from Andover, said: “I think it’s really sad, where else can we go to get things? There’s nowhere.”

Ms Mildenhaw from Andover (Image: Newsquest)

Mairead, who lives in Basingstoke, was out shopping with Patricia, she said she uses the shop regularly to buy presents and is upset to hear the news.

The 78-year-old said: “It’s a lovely shop, I would miss it. We think it’s sad because we go to Newbury now and that seems a lot better than here. We just feel there’s nothing here much more. I don’t want to shop online.”

Mairead and Patricia out shopping (Image: Newsquest)

Rebecca Sims, 48, a mum from Tadley, said she is disappointed to hear the news.

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She added: "My girls love The Body Shop. It’s economical and good for the environment.

“It’s nice to go online, but you also want to go in shops. I’m not up for online shopping permanently.”

Rebecca Sims, left. (Image: Newsquest)

In a statement, The Body Shop said: "Today, the directors of The Body Shop International Limited have appointed Tony Wright, Geoff Rowley, and Alastair Massey of business advisory firm FRP as Joint Administrators of the company, which operates The Body Shop's UK business.

"Taking this approach provides the stability, flexibility and security to find the best means of securing the future of The Body Shop and revitalizing this iconic British brand.

"The Joint Administrators will now consider all options to find a way forward for the business and will update creditors and employees in due course."

Although it struggled with profitable growth for years, it remains a recognisable presence on British high streets.