Morrisons Store Closures: Full List, Dates, and What’s Behind the Big Shake-Up

Supermarket giant Morrisons has confirmed it will begin closing several of its stores, cafés, and in-store counters from April 16, 2025, as part of a major business overhaul. The announcement includes 17 Morrisons Daily stores, 52 cafés, 18 Market Kitchens, and various meat and fish counters. This move, officially part of Morrisons’ strategy to “reinvigorate” the brand, has stirred concerns among shoppers and employees alike.

Let’s break down all the important details behind these Morrisons store closures, including which locations are affected, why it’s happening, and what it could mean going forward.

 

Why Are Morrisons Stores Closing?

Morrisons’ CEO Rami Baitiéh said the closures are part of necessary steps to strengthen the supermarket’s future. The company aims to focus on areas that matter most to customers and improve long-term growth.

However, Baitiéh also pointed fingers at rising business costs driven by government policies. He cited:

  • Higher National Insurance contributions for employers

  • April 2025 minimum wage increase

  • Increased operational costs due to inflation

These factors have created what Baitiéh described as an “avalanche of costs”, forcing Morrisons to restructure and reduce less profitable operations.

 

When Will the Closures Begin?

The first major shutdown wave hits on April 16, with 16 Morrisons Daily stores set to close that day. Another store will follow on May 14. The café and Market Kitchen closures will also begin this month, although exact dates for cafés haven’t all been specified yet.

 

List of Morrisons Daily Stores Closing

 

Closing April 16, 2025:

  1. Lowestoft Road, Gorleston

  2. 3-5 Old Town, Peebles

  3. 214 Hutton Road, Shenfield

  4. Waterloo Estate, Poole

  5. Higham Lane Estate, Tonbridge

  6. The Cornmarket, Romsey

  7. Lainshaw Street, Stewarton

  8. Featherbed Lane, Selsdon

  9. Queslett Road, Great Barr

  10. Oakfield Road, Whickham

  11. Queensway, Worle

  12. Strand Parade, Goring-By-Sea

  13. Westfield Road, Woking

  14. 40 Peach Street, Wokingham

  15. 51 Sidwell Street, Exeter

  16. Moorland Road, Bath

Closing May 14, 2025:

  1. 19 The Village, Haxby

 

Post Office Closures Alongside Stores

Out of the 17 Morrisons Daily stores shutting down, 11 include Post Office counters. These will likely close too, although possibly on different dates. The Post Office has stated it is reviewing alternatives and advertising vacancies for new locations where possible.

 

Morrisons Café Closures – Full List

A total of 52 in-store cafés will be closed permanently. Here are some of the key locations:

  • Bradford Thornbury (West Yorkshire)

  • London Queensbury (Greater London)

  • Failsworth Poplar Street (Greater Manchester)

  • London Wood Green (Greater London)

  • Solihull Warwick Road (West Midlands)

  • Leighton Buzzard Lake Street (Bedfordshire)

  • Watford Ascot Road (Hertfordshire)

  • Littlehampton Wick (West Sussex)

  • Helensburgh (Argyll and Bute, Scotland)

The full café closure list includes branches across England, Scotland, and Wales.

 

Market Kitchens Also Closing

Morrisons will also shut down 18 of its Market Kitchen food courts—special areas offering ready-to-eat fresh meals. Key locations affected include:

  • Camden Town, London

  • Eccles Irwell Place, Greater Manchester

  • Leeds Kirkstall, West Yorkshire

  • Stoke Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent

  • Milton Keynes Westcroft, Buckinghamshire

This signals a shift away from in-store food services, which may not have delivered strong returns in recent years.

 

Other Counter Closures

Additionally, the following services will be removed:

  • 35 meat counters

  • 35 fish counters

  • 4 in-store pharmacies

These areas are often underused, according to Morrisons’ internal reviews. Removing them is part of simplifying the store experience and saving costs.

 

How Many Jobs Are at Risk?

While Morrisons hasn’t confirmed final job losses yet, it’s estimated that around 365 roles could be affected just from the Morrisons Daily store closures. With cafés, kitchens, and counters also being axed, the total number may be significantly higher.

The company says it will support affected workers, aiming to reassign them where possible or provide severance support.

 

Morrisons in the Competitive Grocery Market

Morrisons currently holds 8.5% of the UK grocery market, according to Kantar. It has been under pressure due to the rise of discount chains like Aldi and Lidl, which offer competitive prices and streamlined shopping.

In January 2025, Sainsbury’s made a similar move, closing 61 of its own cafés and cutting 3,000 jobs. Supermarkets across the UK seem to be shifting away from non-core services to focus on pricing and essential groceries.

 

What’s Next for Morrisons?

Despite the widespread closures, Morrisons has stated that it is not stepping away from its core values or long-term plans. The goal is to refocus investments in areas like:

  • Store upgrades

  • Customer service

  • Essential product pricing

CEO Baitiéh is hopeful that this transformation will help Morrisons remain competitive and resilient in a challenging economic climate.

 

Final Thoughts

The wave of Morrisons store closures is a clear sign of the changing times in British retail. With rising costs, evolving customer habits, and stiff competition from discount chains, even established names like Morrisons are being forced to rethink their strategy.

For shoppers, the closures may be an inconvenience—especially in communities where stores are vital hubs. For employees, the future remains uncertain, though Morrisons has promised support.

Stay tuned as we continue to track updates on this story, especially if more closures are announced in the coming months.


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