A number of The Body Shop stores in Kent are set to be saved – but three face the axe.

Last month it was revealed that the renowned beauty chain would close dozens of stores and hundreds of jobs would be lost.

Today, administrators have revealed the stores which will remain open amid the restructure.

This includes branches in Bluewater Shopping Centre in Greenhithe, Ashford Designer Outlet in Ashford, Whitefriars in Canterbury, Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells and Fremlin Walk in Maidstone.

The Body Shop’s Joint Administrators confirmed 116 stores will remain open as restructuring of the UK business progresses

It still means 75 stores will close in a phased period over the next four to six weeks, along with the seven already announced, resulting in 489 job losses.

Kent stores which are closing are Bexleyheath, Hempstead Valley and Thanet.

The decision to retain more than half of the current stores is part of a plan for a renewed focus on the brand’s products, online sales channels and wholesale strategies in a bid to improve long-term financial stability.

Tony Wright, Joint Administrator, said: “In taking swift action to right-size The Body Shop UK store portfolio, we have stabilised the business and are providing the best opportunity for this iconic brand to have a long-term, sustainable future.

“The UK business continues to trade in administration, and we remain fully focused on exploring all options to take the business forward.”

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.

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

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 changes announced today (Feb 29)only impact The Body Shop business in the UK. The Body Shop’s Global Head Franchise Partners in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, and international wholesale partners continue as a cornerstone of future success.