Morrisons has confirmed it will shut 17 stores in the coming days as part of a significant restructuring aimed at "reinvigorating" the company. According to the announcement made on April 8, 2025, a total of 16 locations will close on April 16, with one store set to remain open until May before it shuts its doors for good.
The closures include several smaller Daily-branded convenience stores, as well as a number of cafes, Market Kitchens, florists, meat counters, fish counters, and pharmacies. Chief executive Rami Baitiéh stated that these measures are necessary to focus investment in areas that customers value most. He remarked, "In most locations, the Morrisons Café has a bright future, but a minority have specific local challenges and in those locations, regrettably, closure and re-allocation of the space is the only sensible option."
The full list of Morrisons locations confirmed to be closing includes:
- Lowestoft Road, Gorleston - April 16
- 3-5 Old Town, Peebles - April 16
- 214 Hutton Road, Shenfield - April 16
- Waterloo Estate, Poole - April 16
- Higham Lane Estate, Tonbridge - April 16
- The Cornmarket, Romsey - April 16
- Lainshaw Street, Stewarton - April 16
- Featherbed Lane, Selsdon - April 16
- Queslett Road, Great Barr - April 16
- Oakfield Road, Whickham - April 16
- Queensway, Worle - April 16
- Strand Parade, Goring-By-Sea - April 16
- Westfield Road, Woking - April 16
- 40 Peach Street, Wokingham - April 16
- 51 Sidwell Street, Exeter - April 16
- Moorland Road, Bath - April 16
- 19 The Village, Haxby - May 14
Among the locations closing, 11 had Post Office counters inside, which are also likely to shut down but not necessarily on the same dates as their respective stores. The Post Office confirmed the following branches will also close:
- Pheasey Post Office, Birmingham - April 9
- Fellside Post Office, Whickham - April 9
- Waterloo Estate Post Office, Poole - April 10
- Shenfield Broadway Post Office, Brentwood - April 13
- Moorfields Post Office, Bath - April 13
- Stewarton Post Office, Kilmarnock - April 13
- Queensway Post Office, Weston-Super-Mare - April 13
- Sidwell Street Post Office, Exeter - April 14
- Higham Wood Post Office, Tonbridge - April 14
- Haxby Post Office, York - April 14
- Crossways Post Office, Croydon - April 15
Local news reports have suggested the Post Office inside the Shenfield Morrisons store could survive, as it may be relocated further down the road, although this has not been confirmed.
The store closures are part of a broader strategy by Morrisons, which also includes shutting down 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies. This shake-up puts approximately 365 employees at risk of redundancy, raising concerns among staff and customers alike.
Social media reactions have been mixed, with some shoppers expressing sadness over the closures. One user, Michelle, described the decision to close the meat and fish counter at the Herne Bay location as "awful," highlighting the strong community ties these stores have. Another user, David Lord, blamed government policies for the closures, stating, "Thanks to your greedy tax hikes!!" in reference to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement of increased National Insurance contributions and minimum wage adjustments.
These closures come on the heels of Sainsbury's announcing similar plans to close 61 in-store supermarket cafes, indicating a broader trend within the supermarket sector to adapt to a challenging economic environment.
Morrisons has been struggling with its market share, now commanding just 8.5 percent of the market. The company has recently boosted its medium-term savings target to £1 billion, having already made £56 million in cost savings in the three months leading up to January 26, 2025. Chief executive Rami Baitiéh warned of an "avalanche of costs" arising from changes to National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage.
As Morrisons moves forward with these significant changes, the impact on local communities and employees remains a pressing concern. The closures of these convenience stores and associated Post Offices will undoubtedly affect those who rely on these services for their daily needs.
In a statement regarding the closures, Morrisons acknowledged the inconvenience this would cause for customers, stating, "We fully recognise the inconvenience this will cause for our customers and apologise for the short notification as these branches close between 9 April and 14 May." The company aims to redirect its resources into areas that can drive future growth and customer satisfaction.
As the date for the closures approaches, many are left wondering how these changes will reshape the local retail landscape and what it means for the future of Morrisons.
