Residents react to possible closure of the Body Shop in Salisbury

The cosmetics, skincare and perfume company was founded in 1976, and has become a staple of the British high street.

However, the company recently announced that it has entered administration, putting thousands of jobs across the country at risk.

The Salisbury branch, located in the Old George Mall, appears to be closed, as of Tuesday, February 20 but the Journal has been told that the Salisbury store is not affected by today's closures. 

It is not clear why the shop was closed today. 

The Body Shop was closed on Tuesday, February 20 (Image: Newsquest)

A Journal reporter spoke to a number of residents, to ask their thoughts on the matter, and this is what they said.

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Michelle Nott, 53, from Devizes, was visiting Salisbury with her mother. She said: "It is sad, a lot of shops are closing lately. I hadn't visited in a long time, but I used to go there a lot."

Her mother, Adriana Saunderson, 72, said: "I think it is sad because it had been around for years there. I used to visit there a lot. It is really sad to see.

'I think it is sad' - Adriana Saunderson, 72 (Image: Newsquest)

"Lots of shops are closing and the high streets are starting to become empty."

Tina Priest, 65, from Salisbury, said: "I am really upset. I had a Body Shop voucher which I didn't use. It's really sad.

"It's odd, the Body Shop was thriving, but now it has gone bankrupt. They were a good business, I liked that they were cruelty-free.

"I suppose online shopping is just more convenient, and people don't visit the high street anymore, especially when you can get it delivered to your front door.

"If you don't use it, we'll lose it."

Carole Austen, 67, from Titchfield, near Fareham, was visiting Salisbury for the day. She said: "I think it is very sad. I rarely visited recently but used to go there a lot.

'There are so many better alternatives' - Carole Austen, 67 (Image: Newsquest)

"I think it used to be very unique, but now there are so many better alternatives that it lost its selling point."

Penny Cornish, 70, said: "I used to visit a lot maybe 10, 20 years ago, but recently I haven't visited much.

'Perhaps they didn't cope well with the competition' - Penny Cornish, 70 (Image: Newsquest)

"Now that there are many other very good, similar shops, perhaps they didn't cope well with the competition."

Sally Milne, 75, said: "I used to shop there back in the day, but haven't recently."

The Journal has contacted the Body Shop for more information.