Closed Galway city shop replacement as new business opens on popular street

A closed Galway shop has finally been replaced as the new business sets up in a popular city area this week.

The Body Shop closed its doors on Galway’s William Street back in February but months on, many have wondered what will take its place.

The answer seems to be here as the shop has had a major makeover with the previously green fronted shop painted a stark white.

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In its current state, the latest addition to one of Galway’s busiest streets appears to be a jewellery shop.

Inside can be seen walls for displaying jewellery, while a sign on the window is offering free ear piercings.

It’s unknown yet when the mysterious shop will officially open its doors, with nothing announced so far.

The Body Shop shut its doors for the final time on February 3 as the Shop Street branch notified customers with a note on the door.

The shop spent several years in the city centre spot and its closure will leave a gaping hole in the street – and in the hearts of many shoppers.

The writing was on the wall for the iconic bath and body brand several weeks ago when news broke of the sale of its south of Ireland stores.

In a deal worth around €240m, an international investment company called Aurelius took control of The Body Shop at the end of December.

The sum was around one-fifth of what was paid for the business when it was sold to the then-owners in 2018.

Back in January Aurelius, the company that took over The Body Shop in December, said that they are now selling parts of its Europe and Asia business and hav e signed an agreement with “an international family office to sell its business in most of mainland Europe and in parts of Asia” as it moves towards “delivering a strong turnaround strategy”.

A spokesperson added that it is now up to the new owners to decide on the future for the stores in Ireland and the rest of Europe.

The Body Shop had been struggling in terms of profitability in recent years but staff had been reassured that there would be no major closures or large-scale job losses.

Staff in Ireland were told in January that ‘effective immediately’ they had new owners and would no longer be connected to the parent company in the UK.

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