British supermarket chain Morrisons has confirmed plans to close 103 locations nationwide in 2025, a move aimed at streamlining operations and redirecting resources to more profitable segments.
The closures, part of an optimization strategy announced on March 24, 2025, include a mix of convenience stores, in-store cafes, Market Kitchens, florists, and pharmacies.
Company officials stated the changes will allow for better investment in core retail experiences, though they have sparked concerns about job losses and reduced community access to services.
The bulk of the shutdowns target underperforming assets. Among them, 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores have already closed, with most shuttering on April 16, 2025, and one final location in Haxby, North Yorkshire, following on May 14, 2025.
Affected Daily stores span regions from Norfolk to Scotland, including sites in Gorleston, Peebles, Shenfield, and Poole. Morrisons emphasized that these decisions followed careful review of foot traffic and sales data, with efforts to relocate staff where possible.
In addition, 51 Morrisons cafes are slated for closure throughout 2025, with dates yet to be finalized for many. These in-store dining spots, once numbering over 400, have faced declining usage post-pandemic. Locations include Banchory in Aberdeenshire, Bathgate in West Lothian, and several in London, such as Erith and Queensbury.
Three cafes in Wales, in Brecon, Caernarfon, and Connah’s Quay, are also on the list. The company plans to repurpose some cafe spaces for third-party vendors or expanded retail.
Morrisons is also winding down all 18 of its Market Kitchen outlets, which offered hot food counters. These closures, expected in 2025 with dates to be confirmed, affect sites from Aberdeen’s King Street to Verwood in Dorset, including urban spots in London like Camden Town and Canning Town. Introduced as an innovative grab-and-go concept, Market Kitchens have not met performance expectations amid rising costs.
Further cuts include 13 florist departments and four pharmacies. Florist closures target branches in Aberdeen, Bradford, and Birmingham, among others, while pharmacies in Birmingham’s Small Heath, Blackburn, Bradford’s Victoria, and London’s Wood Green will shut down. Morrisons noted that these services, while valued, represent non-core operations that can be outsourced or consolidated.
The strategy extends beyond these 103 sites. Reports indicate additional adjustments to 35 meat counters and 35 fish counters, though these are not counted in the primary closure tally. Overall, the moves align with broader UK retail trends, where chains like Sainsbury’s and Iceland are also trimming footprints amid economic pressures.
Morrisons, the UK’s fifth-largest grocer with 497 superstores, assured customers that core supermarket functions remain intact. Support for impacted employees includes redundancy consultations and internal job opportunities. As of October 22, 2025, most Daily store closures are complete, but cafe and other shutdowns continue rolling out.
This restructuring follows Morrisons’ acquisition by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2021, which has pushed for efficiency gains. Analysts suggest the closures could save millions annually, though local communities may feel the pinch in access to affordable goods and services.
