Paisley's Body Shop to close

Jan 27 2011 by Kenneth Speirs, Paisley Daily Express

Body Shop to close

A FRESH blow will hit Paisley’s troubled retail scene next week as the shutters come down at The Body Shop for the last time.

The Paisley Daily Express can reveal that the store is to shut on Monday after almost 20 years in business in the town.

It is understood that the closure of The Body Shop – which is located on the top floor of The Paisley Centre – is due to a serious downturn in trade over the past year.

One source told the Express: “The shop just hasn’t been doing the business it should have done of late.”

The Body Shop was one of the original tenants of The Paisley Centre and its closure is another blow to the mall, which already has less than 100 per cent tenancy.

It is also a further setback for Paisley as whole, the town having seen a large number of businesses close in recent years, with the High Street being particularly badly affected.

However, a spokesman for Renfrewshire Council said that, although it is regrettable that The Body Shop is to close, there are signs of a retail revival in Paisley.

He added: “There are some very encouraging signs in Paisley town centre as a whole.

“The partnership approach to the former Arnotts site is well under way and this will make for an appealing retail location.

“There is also a revival of the former Littlewoods site in Paisley’s High Street and the continuing redevelopment of the former council headquarters in Cotton Street, which is all very positive.”

Founded by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop describes itself as ‘the original, natural and ethical beauty brand’.

It has more than 2,500 stores worldwide.

The company is famously against the use of any sort of animal testing in the development of its products.

It is now owned by the French beauty giant L’Oreal, whose well-known catchphrase is ‘Because I’m worth it’.

A spokeswoman for The Body Shop confirmed that its Paisley branch is shutting down but was unable to comment on a reason for the closure.

A spokeswoman for Propinvest, the owners of The Paisley Centre, declined to comment.