Key Highlights
- Morrisons plans to close 145 sites across the UK.
- The move includes closing 17 Daily stores and 52 in-store cafes.
- Closures are part of a major business overhaul aimed at streamlining operations.
- Most Daily store closures have already taken place, with more expected by year-end.
Morrisons’ Cost-Cutting Strategy
In an effort to streamline its operations and adapt to changing market conditions, Morrisons has announced plans to close 145 stores across the United Kingdom. The decision comes as the supermarket chain faces increasing pressure from discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl, as well as shifting consumer habits towards smaller convenience formats and online shopping.
According to Morrisons CEO Rami Baitieh, the closures are not taken lightly but reflect the need for the company to adjust to a more competitive retail landscape. “In most locations, the Morrisons Cafe has a bright future,” Baitieh explained. “However, in specific local challenges, closure and reallocation of the space is the only sensible option.”
Impact on Staff
Morrisons is committed to supporting affected employees during this transition period. The company stated that where possible, staff will be offered redeployment opportunities within other parts of the business. Baitieh emphasized: “We do not take lightly the disruption and uncertainty these changes may cause for some of our colleagues.”
Specific Store Closures
The closure list includes a variety of store types, including 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores and 52 in-store cafes. The specific locations slated for closure are detailed below:
- Aberdeenshire: Banchory, North Deeside Road
- North Lanarkshire: Bellshill, John Street
- Lancashire: Blackburn, Railway Road
- Hertfordshire: Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
- West Yorkshire: Bradford, Thornbury; Brecon, Free Street (Powys); Dumbarton, Glasgow Road (West Dunbartonshire)
- Gwynedd, Wales: Connah’s Quay, Flintshire
- East Sussex: Crowborough
- North Ayrshire: Largs, Irvine Road
- Leeds: Horsforth, Swinnow Road (West Yorkshire); West Midlands: Stirchley; Wiltshire: Warminster, Weymouth Street
- Somerset: Worle, Queensway
- West Sussex: Goring-By-Sea, Strand Parade; Hertfordshire: Watford, Ascot Road; Welwyn Garden City, Black Fan Road
- North Lanarkshire: Wishaw, Kirk Road; Scottish Borders: Peebles, 3-5 Old Town
- Dorset: Verwood, Dorset
- Berkshire: Wokingham, 40 Peach Street; Surrey: Weybridge, Monument Hill; Greater London: Erith (Greater London), Harrow, Hatch End, Queensbury, Stratford, Wood Green; North Yorkshire: Haxby, 19 The Village
- Bedfordshire: Leighton Buzzard, Lake Street; West Sussex: East Kilbride (Lindsayfield), East Kilbride (Stewartfield); Gloucestershire: Gloucester, Metz Way; Norfolk: Gorleston, Blackwell Road; Suffolk/Essex: Hadleigh, Poplar Street; South Ayrshire: Troon, Academy Street
- Greater Manchester: Eccles, Irwell Place; West Midlands: Great Barr, Queslett Road; Tyne and Wear: Newcastle upon Tyne (Cowgate)
- Brentford, Waterside (West London); Camden Town, London (North London); Canning Town, London; Cheltenham, Up Hatherley
- Nottinghamshire: Mansfield (Woodhouse), Nottingham, Netherfield; Derbyshire: Chesterfield, Northgate Street; Leicestershire: Lutterworth, Bitteswell Road; Warwickshire: Solihull, Warwick Road
- Birmingham, Small Heath; Blackburn, Railway Road; Bradford, Victoria; London, Wood Green (Harrow and Wealdstone)
- Edgbaston, Birmingham; Gravesend, Coldharbour Road; Kirkby, Merseyside; Milton Keynes, Westcroft; Stoke, Festival Park
Additional Store Closures
In addition to the cafes and stores listed above, Morrisons also plans to close several Market Kitchens, pharmacies, and florists. The specific locations for these closures are as of yet undetermined:
- Birmingham: Small Heath; Blackburn, Railway Road; Bradford, Enterprise 5
- London: Canning Town, Camden Town, Evesham, Four Pool Estate (Evesham); Newcastle Under Lyme, Goose Street; Rubery, Bristol Road South; Sunderland, Doxford Park; Swinton, Swinton Hall Road
Morrisons’ restructuring is part of a broader trend in the retail industry where companies are adapting to changing consumer behavior and market competition. The company’s decision highlights the challenges faced by traditional supermarkets as they compete with discount retailers and evolving customer preferences.
