Shoppers have said the closure of the Body Shop store near the Broad Marsh site in Nottingham is 'devastating'. People in the city centre reacted with sadness after the beauty chain said its shop in Albert Street had shut on Thursday, March 24 after 32 years of trading.
The Body Shop, known for its cosmetics, skin care and perfume, employed nine members of staff and listed there names in a sign on its window - Laura, Jen, Julie, Libby, Mikki, Millie, Ayesha, Hannah and Ellie. It joins a long list of closures in the area, following the likes of Carphone Warehouse and Sketchers.
One shopper, Michael Callan, said it was "devastating". "It all comes down to Intu not being able to proceed with their plans for the Broad Marsh, that’s what has ultimately made the mess we’re in now," the 36-year-old said. "The council still haven’t sorted it out, and because of that, there’s no businesses really that can survive, or are willing to take up the units that are now empty in and around the area."
Read more: Body Shop announces closure of Nottingham store after 32 years
"But if the council don’t start doing more, all you’re going to see happen is more businesses are going to be closing around here – and your big businesses that are here will move on because there’s no shoppers around here anymore."
Laura Meakin, a 32-year-old barber from Sherwood, said: “I think it’s just really sad seeing businesses close, even if they’re big chains like The Body Shop. It doesn’t really bode well for the future of businesses in the city centre does it?
"If they can replace it, or any of those businesses really, with some new, vibrant independent businesses I think that would be good for the area. Would be a new jolt of energy that I think it needs.”
The former Body Shop - yet to be listed by agents - is amongst a number of vacant shops on the street. The pathway leads to Lister Gate, which has suffered a number of closures since the pandemic including Boots, WH Smith, River Island and Thorntons.
Rick Martin, a 48-year-olod business owner in Nottingham, added: “The council have got to play to the strengths of the city centre, I think, instead of just being like any other city. You look at cities like Manchester or Liverpool for example, and they’ve all got a niche or something they do famously, haven’t they? But we haven’t got one.
"We’ve got a lot of local history in Nottingham, but other than the Castle, we don’t really celebrate it. And that history is something we as a city have got that other cities don’t have. We’ve got the Castle and the caves and all sorts of other cool things. It would be good to finally see them do something to celebrate that history.”
