Bodycare

This article is about the British retailer. For personal care products, see Personal care products.

GR & MM Blackledge plc

Bodycare branch in Halifax, England
Trade name	Bodycare
Industry	Health and beauty
Founded	1970;55 years ago (1970)
Founders	Graham and Margaret Blackledge
Defunct	27 September 2025;33 days ago (2025-09-27)
Fate	Administration
Website	bodycareonline.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.