Another innovative woman who dared to be different and made her mark on the city was Anita Roddick, who started The Body Shop chain in Brighton. Anita was interested in shampoos and cosmetics made of natural materials that did not irritate the skin or harm the environment.
The very first store was opened by Roddick on the 27th March 1976 at 22 Kensington Gardens. From this tiny space in one of the town’s oldest shopping areas, Roddick went on to create a global chain of stores.
At the beginning it only sold a range of 25 different products with an emphasis on natural ingredients that were ethically sourced and cruelty free. Customers were encouraged to take the plastic bottles back to be re-filled. Roddick promoted this practice as recycling; in truth she started it because she did not have enough plastic bottles!
Continue South down Kensington Gardens. Cross over North Road at the pedestrian crossing and stop outside Infinity Foods.