Morrisons is closing 145 locations including cafes, convenience stores, counters, and pharmacies as part of a strategic restructuring plan. The closures aim to cut costs, address underused services, and refocus investment on areas more valued by customers.
Key Takeaways:
- 145 locations impacted across the UK including 17 convenience stores and 52 cafes
- Closures are part of a “renewal programme” to optimise operations
- Around 365 employees face redundancy
- Closures include in-store services like Market Kitchens, florists, and meat/fish counters
- Replacement services are being explored with third-party partnerships
Why Is Morrisons Closing So Many Stores and Services in the UK?
Morrisons’ decision to close over 100 of its UK locations stems from an ambitious turnaround strategy designed to modernise the business. The supermarket giant, headquartered in Bradford, is seeking to streamline operations and focus on the services customers actually use and value.
This move is spearheaded by CEO Rami Baitiéh, who described the initiative as a “programme of renewal.” The core objective is to reallocate resources from underused departments like in-store cafes, florists, and service counters towards modern, efficient, and profitable store formats.
Morrisons’ internal review found that many of the affected areas were significantly underused compared to their operational costs, making them uneconomical to continue.
Rather than a blanket shutdown, the closures are targeted based on performance. Factors like footfall, local competition, customer behaviour, and profitability were considered in deciding which stores and services to shut. Some of these spaces may later be repurposed in collaboration with third-party service providers.
This decisive shift reflects Morrisons’ response to changing consumer preferences and growing competition from discount retailers and online shopping alternatives.
What Morrisons Locations Are Shutting Down in 2025?
The scale of Morrisons’ 2025 closure plan is extensive, affecting approximately 145 locations across the UK. These closures include 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores, 52 in-store cafes, 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies. Here’s a breakdown of the impacted services and where they are happening.
Morrisons Daily Convenience Stores
Morrisons Daily stores were introduced to bring the brand closer to local communities in a compact, convenience-focused format. However, many of these stores struggled to compete with major players like Tesco Express and Co-op, leading to poor performance and ultimately, closure. Most of these 17 stores closed in April 2025.
Morrisons Daily Closures
Store Name City Closure Date
King Street Aberdeen April 2025
Camden Town London April 2025
Kirkby Merseyside April 2025
Westcroft Milton Keynes April 2025
Moorland Road Bath April 2025
Lowestoft Road Gorleston April 2025
Old Town Peebles April 2025
Hutton Road Shenfield April 2025
Waterloo Estate Poole April 2025
Higham Lane Est Tonbridge April 2025
The Cornmarket Romsey April 2025
Lainshaw Street Stewarton April 2025
Featherbed Lane Selsdon April 2025
Village Centre Haxby April 2025
Queslett Road Great Barr April 2025
Oakfield Road Whickham April 2025
Peach Street Wokingham April 2025
In-store Cafes, Market Kitchens, Counters and Florists
A significant portion of the closures includes in-store services such as cafes, Market Kitchens, meat and fish counters, and florists. These services, once seen as customer perks, have seen declining usage in recent years due to evolving shopping habits.
In-store Services Closed:
Service Type Number of Closures
In-store Cafes 52
Market Kitchens 18
Meat Counters 35
Fish Counters 35
Florists 13
Pharmacies 4
Cafes, in particular, were seen as social spaces but are now struggling with profitability due to the popularity of high street coffee chains. Market Kitchens, which offered fresh ready-to-eat meals, have also been scrapped in favour of more modern, cost-effective alternatives.
Florists, though profitable in niche markets, couldn’t sustain low-volume stores. All 18 Market Kitchens have been shut permanently. These closures affect stores in areas such as Leeds, Solihull, London, Glasgow, and Cardiff, highlighting that no region was immune to these strategic decisions.
When Are the Morrisons Closures Taking Place?
Morrisons has approached this closure programme in phases to manage operational disruption and allow affected staff and customers time to adjust.
Most of the Morrisons Daily convenience stores were closed by April 2025, while the remaining closures, including cafes, counters, Market Kitchens, florists, and pharmacies, are scheduled to conclude by the end of 2025.
The staggered approach also reflects the complexity involved in shutting down various types of services and locations. While convenience stores were easier to wind down due to their smaller footprint, other services like cafes and counters require more logistical coordination and staff reallocation. Some of the affected facilities are still awaiting specific closure dates.
As of now, no confirmed closures are planned beyond 2025, although additional structural changes could be introduced as Morrisons continues to assess store performance across the UK.
How Many Jobs Are Affected by the Morrisons Store Closures?
The restructuring programme will impact at least 365 Morrisons employees across the UK. This includes staff from convenience stores, cafes, counters, Market Kitchens, florists, and pharmacies.
Additionally, a separate closure of Rathbones Bakery in Wakefield threatens up to 115 more jobs, bringing the total potential impact to around 480 roles.
- The majority of affected roles are within customer-facing departments
- Morrisons has pledged support for employees, offering transition packages and potential redeployment
- Many team members have already been consulted, and some opted for voluntary redundancy
- Union negotiations and internal consultations are ongoing to manage the outcomes
Despite being a small percentage of Morrisons’ national workforce, the closures have created a ripple effect in communities that relied on these roles for employment stability and economic support.
How Are Customers and Communities Reacting to the Closures?
The Morrisons closures have triggered a mixed reaction among communities and loyal shoppers across the UK. Many customers feel uncertain about what the future holds for their local stores and high streets.
Community Feedback
Local residents have voiced disappointment, especially in towns where Morrisons services were essential. For many elderly or mobility-challenged customers, the loss of convenience stores or in-store pharmacies presents a real concern. Online forums and social media show a strong sense of frustration in affected regions, particularly in Scotland and Northern England.
High Street Impact
The closures contribute to the ongoing decline of Britain’s high streets. Removing familiar services like cafes and florists weakens the retail environment and affects neighbouring businesses that depended on foot traffic from Morrisons locations. Some smaller towns may face retail gaps that remain unfilled for years, further damaging community morale.
Loss of Social Space (Cafes, Counters)
In-store cafes have been more than just food stops, they acted as community gathering points. With their closure, towns lose vital social spaces. Parents, pensioners, and local workers who used cafes for breaks and meetups now find themselves without alternatives. Meat and fish counters also offered a personal touch that many traditional shoppers still valued.
How does this affect your local area? If your nearest Morrisons is on the list, you may need to find new ways to shop, access fresh produce, or connect with others in your community. For some, it’s more than just a store closure, it’s a shift in daily life.
What Will Replace the Shuttered Morrisons Services?
In locations where cafes and counters are being closed, Morrisons is exploring replacement services through third-party partnerships. This includes possibilities like branded food concessions, pharmacy chains, or independent service providers.
A similar model was seen with Morrisons’ sushi counter collaboration with KellyDeli, indicating that flexible leasing arrangements are likely to become more common.
While exact replacements haven’t been confirmed for all affected sites, the supermarket has said it wants to maintain service availability where demand remains. By outsourcing operations, Morrisons aims to reduce internal costs while keeping essential services available to customers.
This model allows the retailer to adapt to changing shopping behaviours without maintaining full control over costly, underused operations.
What Does the Future Hold for Morrisons in the UK Retail Market?
Morrisons is betting on a leaner, more focused business model to compete in an increasingly challenging retail market. By reallocating resources toward customer-valued services and optimising store formats, the supermarket hopes to recover market share and improve profitability.
However, the closures come with risks. If the restructuring alienates loyal shoppers who relied on traditional services, Morrisons may face further reputational damage. Success will depend on how well the company implements its “renewal” strategy and whether customers embrace the changes.
In the coming months, the retailer’s ability to retain footfall while evolving into a more agile operation will determine whether the closures were a temporary setback or the first step in a long-term recovery.
What Should You Know as a Morrisons Shopper?
As someone who shops at Morrisons, you should be aware of the potential impacts on your local store and the broader retail landscape. Closures may affect how you access services like fresh food, community cafés, and local pharmacy support.
To stay informed, check the Morrisons website or in-store announcements to see if your nearest location is impacted. If it is, explore nearby alternatives or prepare for changes in store layout and services.
While the intention is to improve overall customer experience, short-term disruptions are expected. Staying proactive will help you adapt to these changes and continue enjoying a seamless shopping journey.
Conclusion
Morrisons’ 2025 closure plan marks a major shift in the supermarket’s UK operations. The decision to shut 145 locations is driven by changing consumer habits, rising operational costs, and the need for a more sustainable model.
While the closures aim to refocus investment on high-demand services, they also raise concerns about community impact, job losses, and customer convenience. Whether this bold move pays off will depend on how effectively Morrisons supports its staff, communicates with customers, and delivers on its promises for renewal.
FAQs
What is the main reason Morrisons is closing its stores and services?
Morrisons is closing locations to cut costs and focus on services customers use most. Many underperforming areas were too expensive to keep running.
Which Morrisons services are being closed permanently?
The closures include 17 convenience stores, 52 cafes, 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies.
Are all Morrisons Daily stores closing?
No, only 17 Morrisons Daily stores have been closed due to poor performance and low customer footfall.
How many employees are affected by these closures?
Approximately 365 workers face redundancy from store closures, with an additional 115 jobs at risk due to the Rathbones Bakery closure.
Will Morrisons be replacing closed services with alternatives?
Yes, Morrisons is working with third-party companies to offer replacement services in some closed store spaces.
What should I do if my local Morrisons is closing?
You can check official announcements for updates and look for nearby alternative stores or services in your area.
How are local communities reacting to the closures?
Many communities have expressed concern over losing essential services and social spaces, especially in rural and underserved areas.
