Body Shop Sculpture Finds New Home At Littlehampton Museum

Littlehampton Museum is welcoming a striking piece of local history, as a well-known sculpture from the former The Body Shop headquarters arrives in the town.

The life-sized artwork, created by sculptor Giles Penny, is being officially delivered on March 26 and marks the first major donation to the museum’s Transforming Littlehampton Museum project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Once a familiar sight outside the Body Shop’s iconic pagoda-style headquarters, the fibreglass sculptures became a much-loved local landmark for decades before the site’s demolition in 2025.

Since then, there has been strong community interest in preserving at least part of their legacy.

Only a small number of the sculptures were able to be saved, with many requiring restoration.

This particular piece — depicting a seated woman on a block — was selected to represent the collection following discussions between the sculptor and Littlehampton Town Council.

The donation also carries a personal connection, with the Arundel resident who originally posed for the sculpture expected to attend its arrival at the museum.

In the short term, the sculpture will be displayed in the museum’s reception area, giving visitors the chance to see it up close. Longer term, it will feature as part of the museum’s centenary exhibition in 2028.

The piece forms part of a wider effort to ensure the museum better reflects Littlehampton’s more recent history, with a focus on collecting contemporary stories before they are lost.

As part of that work, the museum is now calling on current and former Body Shop employees and their families to get involved in workshops, share memories and help shape future displays celebrating the town’s connection to the globally recognised brand.