Morrisons is set to close a number of stores and services across the UK, impacting hundreds of jobs as part of a major cost-cutting initiative. The supermarket chain has announced the imminent closure of 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores, 52 in-store cafés, 18 market kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies. Under this transformation plan, about 396 employees will be at risk of redundancy, although the retailer has indicated that many will be moved to other roles within the company.
On March 24, 2025, Morrisons revealed that these closures are a direct response to what they describe as ‘significant cost increases’ that have made certain operations economically unviable. The decision affects locations in Birmingham, Bath, Woking, and other areas, leading Chief Executive Rami Baitiéh to stress the importance of focusing on investments that align with customer interests and operational sustainability. “The changes we are announcing today are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons and enable us to focus our investment into the areas that customers really value and that can play a full part in our growth,” Baitiéh stated.
Morrisons employs around 95,000 people, operating approximately 1600 Morrisons Daily stores and 500 supermarkets across the UK. The changes will see the shutdown of cafés in major urban centers including London, Leeds, and Glasgow. Specific locations affected include five cafés in London alone, alongside closures in Portsmouth, Bradford, and several others. Notably, the closures also include four pharmacies located in Bradford Victoria, Blackburn Railway Road, London Wood Green, and Birmingham Small Heath.
This extensive restructuring is occurring as the company grapples with rising business costs, exacerbated by upcoming hikes to National Insurance contributions which are anticipated to add an additional £75 million to Morrisons' expenses. Baitiéh described these cost hikes as “an avalanche of costs that is coming all at once,” highlighting the pressures faced by retailers in the current economic climate.
Despite the looming redundancies, Morrisons has assured its commitment to supporting affected employees throughout this transition. While acknowledging that about 396 workers may lose their jobs, the company indicated that the majority would likely be reassigned to alternative roles within the business. “Although these changes are relatively small in the context of the overall scale of the Morrisons business, we do not take lightly the disruption and uncertainty they will cause to some of our colleagues,” Baitiéh noted.
The changes are designed to prioritize resources towards areas that reflect customer preferences and demands. Baitiéh emphasized the ongoing relevance of Morrisons’ Market Street concept, which he believes serves as a key differentiator for the brand. “Market Street is a beacon of differentiation for Morrisons and we remain committed to it,” he added, while also recognizing that some store locations have specific challenges that necessitate a rethink of how resources are allocated.
The full list of closures includes significant cuts across multiple regions. In total, the closures consist of 52 cafés, including locations like Bradford Thornbury, Paisley Falside Rd, London Queensbury, and many others. The market kitchens slated for closure are scattered from Aberdeen to Milton Keynes, while the impact on florists and meat and fish counters will be felt nationwide. Furthermore, two Morrisons Daily stores in Scotland will also be closing, affecting staff and customers alike.
Morrisons plans to collaborate with third-party organizations to deliver specialized offers in locations where services are being cut, aiming to ensure that customer needs continue to be met even post-closure. This shift may include partnerships for providing café-style services or alternative offerings that help fill the void left by these changes.
This significant restructuring effort illustrates the broader challenges facing retailers as they navigate increasing costs and changing consumer behaviors. As Morrisons implements these changes, both customers and employees will be watching closely to see how the supermarket manages the transition and continues to adapt in a competitive grocery sector.
In summary, the closure of multiple stores and services marks a significant chapter in Morrisons’ ongoing efforts to remain viable and competitive within the UK supermarket landscape. The full scope of these changes will test the resilience of both the brand and its workforce as they move forward.
