The Body Shop to axe eight Scots stores as almost 500 jobs to be lost

The Body Shop has announced a number of stores in Scotland will close within weeks as hundreds of jobs are set to go at the cosmetics chain.

On Thursday it was announced 75 stores across the UK will close within the next six weeks, with the loss of 489 jobs.

Eight stores in Scotland are among those set to close their doors.

The high street skincare and cosmetics chain tumbled into administration earlier this month.

Administrators from FRP Advisory said the latest closures will take place over the next four to six weeks as part of a heavy restructuring aimed at preserving the brand.

Last week, the retailer shut seven shops in its first phase of restructuring after confirming plans to close nearly half of its then-198 UK outlets.

The latest announcement will leave the retail firm with 116 stores across the UK.

Tony Wright, joint administrator, said: “In taking swift action to right-size The Body Shop UK store portfolio, we have stabilised the business and are providing the best opportunity for this iconic brand to have a long-term, sustainable future.

“The UK business continues to trade in administration, and we remain fully focused on exploring all options to take the business forward.”

Full list of Scottish Body Shop stores set to close:

• East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire
• Edinburgh Gyle Centre, Midlothian
• Edinburgh Princes Mall, Midlothian
• Glasgow Braehead
• Glasgow Fort
• Glasgow Silverburn
• Glasgow Station
• Perth, Perthshire