The Body Shop will close almost half of its 198 stores across the UK after the company filed for bankruptcy last week.

As part of a comprehensive restructuring, the cosmetics chain also plans to cut around 270 jobs at its headquarters.

On Tuesday, it was announced that half of The Body Shop’s stores will be closing permanently, with seven stores – including four in London – closing immediately.

Liquidators FRP said last week: “The Body Shop remains guided by its aim to be a modern, dynamic beauty brand that is relevant to customers and competitive over the long term. Creating a more flexible and financially stable UK business is an important step towards achieving this aim.”

“The Body Shop endured a prolonged period of financial challenges under previous owners, coinciding with a difficult trading environment for the wider retail sector.”

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

Just weeks earlier, European private equity firm Aurelius had taken control of the company. Aurelius, which specialises in buying and turning around distressed companies, had completed a £207 million deal to buy The Body Shop from Brazilian cosmetics giant Natura & Co. in November.

It was only on January 1st that she officially took over operational management.

At the time of the takeover, the company employed around 10,000 people worldwide.

At the end of last month, Aurelius reached an agreement with The Body Shop to sell the company’s operations in most of continental Europe and parts of Asia to an international family office. This is a “crucial step towards implementing a strong turnaround strategy”.

Here is the full list of stores closing immediately: