Keywords: Morrisons, store closures, supermarket news, UK retail, Morrisons Daily, Post Office closures, cost-cutting, retail strategy
In a significant move to “reinvigorate” the company, supermarket giant Morrisons has announced a series of store closures and service reductions across the UK in April and May 2025. This decision impacts not only shoppers who rely on these local stores but also the communities they serve, particularly where Post Office services are affected. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the situation:
Scale of the Closures:
Morrisons is set to close 17 of its Morrisons Daily convenience stores. The majority of these closures will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. One store, located in Haxby, North Yorkshire, will remain open slightly longer, until Tuesday, May 14, 2025.
Full List of Morrisons Daily Store Closures:
Here is the complete list of the 17 Morrisons Daily stores scheduled to close:
- Lowestoft Road, Gorleston
- 3-5 Old Town, Peebles
- 214 Hutton Road, Shenfield
- Waterloo Estate, Poole
- Higham Lane Estate, Tonbridge Â
- The Cornmarket, Romsey
- Lainshaw Street, Stewarton
- Featherbed Lane, Selsdon
- Queslett Road, Great Barr
- Oakfield Road, Whickham Â
- Queensway, Worle
- Strand Parade, Goring-By-Sea
- Westfield Road, Woking Â
- 40 Peach Street, Wokingham
- 51 Sidwell Street, Exeter Â
- Moorland Road, Bath
- 19 The Village, Haxby (closing May 14)
Impact on Post Office Services:
A significant concern for many local residents will be the closure of 11 Post Office branches located within the affected Morrisons Daily stores. These Post Offices will be closing between Tuesday, April 9, and Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
List of Post Office Closures within Morrisons Daily Stores:
- Pheasey Post Office, Birmingham (closing April 9)
- Fellside Post Office, Whickham (closing April 9)
- Waterloo Estate Post Office, Poole (closing April 10)
- Shenfield Broadway Post Office, Brentwood (closing April 13)
- Moorfields Post Office, Bath (closing April 13)
- Stewarton Post Office, Kilmarnock (closing April 13)
- Queensway Post Office, Weston-Super-Mare (closing April 13)
- Sidwell Street Post Office, Exeter (closing April 14) Â
- Higham Wood Post Office, Tonbridge (closing April 14)
- Haxby Post Office, York (closing April 14)
- Crossways Post Office, Croydon (closing April 15)
Morrisons has stated they “fully recognise the inconvenience this will cause for our customers and apologise for the short notification.” They also mentioned that they have reviewed Post Office provision in these areas and are advertising vacancies for most affected branches. However, the immediate closure will undoubtedly disrupt postal services for local communities.
Wider Restructuring at Morrisons:
These Morrisons Daily closures are part of a broader restructuring effort within the supermarket chain. In addition to these convenience stores, Morrisons is also undertaking the following changes:
- Closure of 52 in-store cafes: This puts approximately 365 jobs at risk. Â
- Closure of all 18 Market Kitchen food courts. Â
- Closure of 35 meat counters.
- Closure of 35 fish counters.
- Closure of four pharmacies.
- Closure of 13 florists.
Reasons Behind the Closures:
Morrisons has described these closures and reductions as a “difficult decision” but a “necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate” the company. Chief Executive Rami Baitiéh stated that in some locations, particularly for the cafes, there were “specific local challenges” where closure was the “only sensible option.”
Reports suggest that the company has faced difficulties in recent years, including a loss of market share. The decision to close stores and services appears to be a cost-cutting measure aimed at improving overall business performance and allowing for investment in other areas that customers “really value.” The increase in employers’ National Insurance and the recent rise in the minimum wage have also been cited as contributing factors to the challenging retail environment.
Impact on Communities and Employees:
The closure of these Morrisons Daily stores will have a direct impact on the local communities they serve, particularly for residents who rely on them for everyday groceries and, crucially, Post Office services. Employees working at these locations also face uncertainty, although Morrisons has indicated that some staff working in the affected services will be redeployed elsewhere in the business where possible.
Looking Ahead:
While these closures represent a contraction of Morrisons’ smaller store footprint, the company emphasizes its commitment to its core supermarket business. The restructuring aims to create a more sustainable and efficient business model for the future. However, for the communities directly affected by these closures, the immediate impact will be the loss of a local convenience store and, in many cases, a vital Post Office service. Residents will need to seek alternative options for their grocery shopping and postal needs in the coming weeks and months.