Norwich's Body Shop is set to remain open despite the chain going in to administration amid predictions of widespread store closures.

The Caste Street outlet is one of only a handful of Body Shops which are operated as a franchise so will keep its doors open, even as others are closed.

James Bercovici, who owns the Norwich franchise, said: "As franchisees we're not part of this, if the Body Shop is closing down stores to save cost on rent. We deal with that ourselves.

"We'll definitely be staying open. Our understanding is the Body Shop brand will keep going and continue to supply our shops with their products.

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"We expect to continue as the Body Shop with nothing changing as far as Norwich is concerned."

The UK arm of the Body Shop entered administration this week, threatening stores across the country and more than 2,000 jobs.

Norwich Evening News: The Body Shop in Castle Street is to remain open as usualThe Body Shop in Castle Street is to remain open as usual (Image: Denise Bradley)

It has around 200 outlets across the UK, and it is understood up to 100 of them could be closed to bring the number of shops in line with competitors, such as Lush, which trades from 104 premises in the UK and Ireland.

FRP Advisory has been brought in to handle a restructuring process for the chain.

It said the administrators will “consider all options to find a way forward for the business” after years of financial struggles and amid a challenging backdrop for shoppers.

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The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon, championing environmental causes and opposing animal testing.

The Norwich store has been a family-owned franchise since 1981.

Mr Bercovici who operates the city shop as well as two stores in Cambridge.

He added: "Our business is doing fine, our recovery post covid was pretty good and we're still here and intend to be into the future."