Morrisons Closures Shock Shoppers as 103 Outlets Face the Axe

Marrisons has become the latest high street name to face a major shake-up. The supermarket giant confirmed it will close 103 outlets across the UK this year. The decision comes as part of a major restructuring drive aimed at cutting costs and “renewing” the business.

The closures include stores, cafes, market kitchens, florists and pharmacies. Morrisons said the closures were necessary because costs of operation have become “significantly out of line” with how customers use them. 

The company announced that 51 cafes, 13 florists, four pharmacies and all 18 Market Kitchens will shut down before the end of 2025. It also confirmed that 17 Morrisons Daily stores have already closed this year, with more expected in the coming months.

Morrisons, the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket, once boasted 497 sites across England, Wales, Scotland and Gibraltar. It serves over 11 million customers a week and employs around 110,000 workers. However, rising operational costs and changing shopping habits have prompted this dramatic pivot. 

In a statement, Chief Executive Rami Baitieh said the company is still committed to investing in its core supermarkets, but some branches face “particular local challenges.” He added, “In those areas, unfortunately, closure and reallocation of the space is the only viable solution.” 

Customers in several towns have already noticed changes, with cafes and florists marked as “permanently closed” online. The Market kitchen in Kirkby, Merseyside, has already shut, leaving local shoppers disappointed.

Morrisons previously promoted its Market Kitchen model as a modern  twist for busy customers, combining dining spaces with traditional butcher, baker and fishmonger counters. Now, those kitchens will be gone as part of cost-saving efforts.

The company has promised that some employees affected by the closures will be offered new roles elsewhere within the business. But others may not be so lucky, with around 365 jobs now at risk due to the changes. 

The move comes as supermarkets across the UK struggle with higher wages, energy bills and rent Aldi, Sainbury’s and Tesco have all announced job cuts or restructured their in-store operations this year.  

Despite the closures, Morrisons recently revealed it had returned to profit last year, posting over 2 billion euros after selling off hundreds of its petrol forecourts. The company says it remains focused on giving shoppers “value and convenience” despite the tough decisions. 

Shoppers, however, have taken to social media to express their disappointment, calling the closures “the end of an era” for their local cafes and in-store florists. 

As Britain high streets continue to transform, Morrisons’ latest move highlights the growing pressure on traditional retail giants. For many loyal customers, the familiar in-store cafe coffee and friendly flower counter chats will soon become memories.