The Blackburn Body Shop Store is set to close within days staff have been told.

The skincare and cosmetics chain announced it will shut another 75 UK stores within the next six weeks, with the loss of 489 jobs.

The Blackburn store, which takes up a prime spot The Mall, and a store in Blackpool were named as the two Lancashire stores set to shut permanently.

Staff were only told days ago that the store would be closing on Wednesday next week.

 They were unsure what they would be doing following the sudden announcement but said all the stock would be sold.

This could mean cut-price offers to clear stock before Wednesday.

A sign in the window of the store read: “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to this neighbourhood.

“Thank you for all your love it has meant a lot.”

It then directs customers to their online store.

The Body Shop, which was founded in 1976, went into administration last month.

Lancashire stores remaining open will be those in Fleetwood Outlet, Lancaster and Preston.

Earlier this week administrators from FRP Advisory said the latest closures will take place over the next four to six weeks as part of a heavy restructuring aimed at preserving the brand.

The latest announcement will leave the retail firm with 116 stores across the UK.

The announcement comes only weeks after new owners, European private equity firm Aurelius, took control of the business.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Aurelius, which specialises in buying and turning around troubled firms, secured a £207 million deal in November to buy The Body Shop from Brazilian cosmetics giant Natura & Co.

The retailer was founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon as one of the first companies to promote so-called ethical consumerism, focusing on ethically produced cosmetics and skincare products.

The announcement comes as The Mall welcomed several new outlets to the town centre. 

In January, it was announced a B&M Bargains will take up the spot vacated by Wilko in King William Street which went into administration last year.

Ramsdens Currency Exchange also moved into a location near the clock tower entrance and the Trespass store which was said to be closing  will now stay open. 

It was also revealed a new Coffeepedia café had taken up the spot vacated by Costa Coffee near the bus station.

This followed the opening of a new Waterstones book shop and renovations to the Deichmann store.