London, UK — British supermarket giant Morrisons has announced a sweeping shake-up of its operations, confirming the closure of 17 convenience stores and 52 in-store cafés across the UK. The move is part of a broader strategy to streamline services and cut costs, but it comes at a human cost: 365 jobs are now at risk.
In addition to the closures, Morrisons is shutting down all 18 of its Market Kitchen hot food counters, 35 meat and 35 fish counters, 13 florists, and four in-store pharmacies. The closures will take place over the coming weeks, and affected employees have already been informed of the potential redundancies.
Why Morrisons Is Closing Stores and Services
The supermarket, currently the fifth-largest grocery chain in the UK, says the decision follows a business review aimed at aligning its store formats with customer preferences. A spokesperson for Morrisons stated:
“We are constantly reviewing our operations to ensure we’re delivering the best value, quality, and convenience for our customers. Unfortunately, this means we’ve had to make some difficult decisions about our store estate and service counters.”
Morrisons said it would work closely with impacted staff and, where possible, offer alternative roles within the company.
Full List of Store and Café Closures
Morrisons Daily Convenience Stores Closing:
- Bath, Moorland Road
- Exeter, 51 Sidwell Street
- Goring-By-Sea, Strand Parade
- Gorleston, Lowestoft Road
- Great Barr, Queslett Road
- Haxby Village
- Peebles, 3-5 Old Town
- Poole, Waterloo Estate
- Romsey, The Cornmarket
- Selsdon, Featherbed Lane
- Shenfield, 214 Hutton Road
- Stewarton, Lainshaw Street
- Tonbridge, Higham Lane Estate
- Whickham, Oakfield Road
- Woking, Westfield Road
- Wokingham, 40 Peach Street
- Worle
Morrisons In-Store Cafés Closing:
The 52 cafés affected span the entire UK, including locations in:
- Banchory, North Deeside Road
- Blackburn, Railway Road
- Bromsgrove, Buntsford Industrial Park
- Gloucester, Metz Way
- Helensburgh
- Leeds (multiple branches including Horsforth and Swinnow Road)
- London (Stratford, Harrow, Wood Green, and others)
- Portsmouth, Great Park
- Solihull, Warwick Road
- Warminster, Weymouth Street
- Watford, Ascot Road
- Weybridge, Monument Hill
…and many more.
Market Kitchens and Counters Also Hit
All 18 Market Kitchen counters—designed to serve freshly prepared meals in larger stores—will be closed. Additionally, 35 meat and 35 fish counters will be removed, following trends showing decreased customer demand for these traditional counter services.
Florist sections in 13 stores will also be discontinued, and four pharmacies will cease operations.
Employee Impact and Union Response
Trade unions and employee advocacy groups have expressed concern about the job losses. USDAW, the union representing many Morrisons staff, said it is in urgent talks with the company to minimize redundancies and secure redeployment opportunities.
“These decisions have real-life consequences. We’re urging Morrisons to explore all options to protect jobs and support affected workers,” said an USDAW spokesperson.
What’s Next for Morrisons?
Morrisons has undergone several changes since its 2021 acquisition by U.S. private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. It has faced increasing competition from discounters like Aldi and Lidl, as well as ongoing cost-of-living pressures impacting UK households.
Industry analysts believe the closures are part of a longer-term strategy to improve margins and focus on profitable core operations.
“This is a tough market right now,” said retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth. “Morrisons is being forced to prioritize what’s working—and right now, that’s about simplifying and sharpening its offer.”
Conclusion
The closures mark a major shift in how Morrisons is positioning itself in the competitive UK grocery sector. While the company insists the move is about aligning with customer preferences and market realities, the immediate impact on workers and local communities is significant.
As job consultations continue, many will be watching to see how Morrisons balances financial survival with its responsibilities to employees and shoppers alike.
