The Body Shop goes into administration causing uncertainty for Thanet, Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone, Bluewater and Hempstead Valley stores

Kent could be set to lose yet another long-running national brand after The Body Shop called in administrators.

The future of the cosmetic and skincare chain’s 250 stores is uncertain after bosses made the move in a bid to save the brand.

There are seven sites in Kent, including two in Ashford, one at Greenhithe’s Bluewater Shopping Centre, one at Hempstead Valley in Gillingham, one in Canterbury, one in Maidstone and one at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Thanet.

It is not yet known how many shops face the chop but it is understood only the UK operations are under threat.

Founded by Dame Anita Roddick, who passed away in 2007, the brand was only sold by Brazilian cosmetics chain Natura & Co to Aurelius Group in November in a £207 million deal.

Aurelius, which also owns sportswear retailer Footasylum and the now-bankrupt healthcare chain Lloydspharmacy, is now in the process of appointing FRP Advisory to handle the insolvency process of the company’s UK operations, according to Sky News.

mpu1

The Body Shop first opened in Brighton back in 1976 with the goal of producing health products made with ethically-sourced and naturally-based ingredients that were not tested on animals.

Just seven years later, the business had grown to 138 stores across the country after incorporating a franchising model which saw a rapid rise in brick-and-mortar locations.