Another blow for Queensgate as Body Shop to close in Peterborough

Queensgate is facing another blow after it was announced the Body Shop will be closing in the Peterborough shopping centre.

Question marks were hanging over the future of the shop, located on the ground floor near Marks and Spencer – another store which is set to close – after it was announced the firm had moved into administration.

Today it has been confirmed that the store will close within the next four to six weeks.

The Peterborough branch was included in a list of 75 stores set to close.

It comes less than three months after being taken over by private equity company, Aurelius.

When it was announced that the firm was struggling, Dr Cheryl Greyson, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ARU Peterborough, said: “With twice as many stores as competitors like Lush, and a reliance on buying expensive high-quality ingredients from small producers, The Body Shop hasn’t kept up with the changing times and the economic challenges facing the High Street today.

She said: “The Body Shop is still seen as a strong ethical brand, but to survive, they will need to run more efficiently, and perhaps bring back some of their old product ranges that customers still remember and love.”

M&S have not commented on the latest on the closure of the Queensgate store since it confirmed a consultation was taking place about the proposals. However, it was said when the announcement was made that an April closure was proposed.