The Body Shop administrators confirm rescue bids due today

The Body Shop administrators have set a deadline of today, 3 July, for prospective buyers to submit bids for the struggling beauty business. 

The deadline follows reports that administrators at FRP Advisory are eager to finalise the sale of the brand's remaining assets after its collapse earlier this year.

Earlier this week, private equity firm Gordon Brothers was reported to be among the companies eyeing a possible rescue of The Body Shop.

The Laura Ashley-owner, which is led by former Mothercare and Shop Direct boss Mark Newton-Jones, was said to have submitted a rescue bid.

The firm is understood to be part of a small group of competing company's that have recently tabled offers for what is left of The Body Shop.

Rival private equity firm Alteri Investors is also among the group of competing firms that have recently submitted offers, as well as Modella Capital, which is part of private equity house R Capital, and an existing franchise partner of The Body Shop’s operations in Asia.

The Body Shop, which was founded by Anita Roddick in 1976, entered administration in February. It currently trades across 100 stores following a shop closure and redundancy programme.

Administrators at FRP last month said they wanted to complete the sale of The Body Shop before the end of June.

At the end of May, an FRP spokesperson confirmed that it had been "encouraged by the level of interest received to date from interested parties". At the time, FRP totalled over 70 potential buyers. Aurelius is reportedly not expected to put in a bid for the British brand.