The Body Shop is moving its UK headquarters as part of a "cultural reset" for the embattled beauty brand under its new ownership.
The British company is relocating its current offices – which are based in London and Littlehampton, West Sussex – to Brighton, where the company opened its first shop in 1976.
The new office, based in Brighton’s sustainably-built Plus X Innovation hub, is said to be part of a larger plan to revitalise The Body Shop after it fell into administration in February.
The struggling business was rescued by retail tycoon Mike Jatania’s Auréa consortium, who fully acquired the business in September.
The Body Shop's new offices are based in Brighton's Plus X Innovation hub
The Body Shop’s new owner is now preparing to rebuild The Body Shop’s UK business and international presence.
“As we work to rebuild and reimagine the future of our brand, it is essential we foster an innovative and collaborative culture to make this next stage in the journey possible” said Charles Denton, CEO of The Body Shop.
“Returning to Brighton reinforces the values upon which we were built – it is a city that celebrates diversity and creativity, oozing irreverence and new ways of thinking stimulated by a vibrant youth culture.”
It is “the first time in decades” the company’s team will be based under the same roof.
A photo of The Body Shop's first store which opened in Brighton in 1976
The Body Shop said in a statement it intends to “expand further”, with an option to add more space to the office as its workforce increases.
Olga Hopton, Workspace Director at Plus X Innovation, added: “Our hub houses a state-of-the-art prototyping workshop and a fully equipped photography and podcast studio.
“Supporting The Body Shop’s plans to drive forwards through collaboration and an innovation mindset.”