One of Britain’s largest supermarket chains, Morrisons, has announced an extensive wave of closures across its UK operations in 2025. The company will shut a total of 145 locations, including in-store cafés, Daily convenience stores, Market Kitchens, florists, and pharmacies, in a move designed to strengthen its future business model amid mounting economic headwinds and changing shopping habits.
Full Breakdown of Closures
The 2025 restructuring impacts a diverse range of Morrisons outlets and services:
- 52 in-store cafés will close, eliminating a significant social feature from supermarkets across the country.
- 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores will shutter, impacting local, quick-stop grocery services.
- All 18 Market Kitchen hot-food counters are now operational, removing freshly prepared meal options for many shoppers.
- Specialised counters will also disappear, including 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and 4 in-store pharmacies.
The closures are not isolated to a single region, touching communities across England, Scotland, and Wales. Early closures in 2025 affected locations in Norfolk, Essex, and Dorset, with additional sites to close throughout the year.
Why Is Morrisons Closing So Many Stores?
Chief Executive Rami Baitieh confirmed that the closures stem from a combination of economic pressure, changing consumer behaviour, and local financial challenges. In his statement, Baitieh emphasised that while Morrisons remains committed to its unique “Market Street” approach, certain sites have simply become uneconomic.
- Declining customer footfall was cited as a major issue.
- High operating costs and competition put added strain on profitability.
- The move is being framed as an attempt to modernise Morrisons and steer resources toward more sustainable growth.
This approach mirrors similar strategies by other UK retailers, as the country’s grocery sector faces rapid transformation and evolving consumer preferences.
Impact on Employees and Communities
The shutdown affects not just buildings but also thousands of employees and countless customers who rely on these stores for daily essentials, and community connection. While Morrisons has pledged to support affected staff during the transition (including consultation and potential redeployment), the future for many remains uncertain:
- Redundancies are expected; current estimates indicate that the figure will be near 365 employees directly affected by the closures.
- For many towns, the local Morrisons acts as a social hub, particularly valued by elderly residents.
- Loss of pharmacies within stores may force customers to seek prescriptions and healthcare advice elsewhere, while the loss of florists and Market Kitchens reduces amenities and convenience for regular shoppers.
Communities are now waiting to see whether third-party providers will fill the gaps left by Morrisons, but there’s no guarantee these replacements will replicate the “market street” feel the brand is known for.
What Locations Are Affected?
Reports confirm that dozens of specific locations have already closed or are scheduled to close, stretching from Banchory in Aberdeenshire to Watford in Hertfordshire. Some sites, such as the Market Kitchen in Stoke’s Festival Park and the florist in Newcastle-under-Lyme, are frequently cited in news coverage.
- 16 Morrisons Daily stores closed on April 16, 2025, alone, including sites in Gorleston (Norfolk) and Bath (Somerset).
- Other closures followed in May, affecting towns across North Yorkshire and beyond.
While most closures focus on small-format stores and speciality counters inside larger supermarkets, some communities are losing their sole Morrisons-branded location.
The Strategic Rationale
Morrisons’ leadership states the closure programme will help the supermarket modernise, strengthen its core business, and “remain a beacon of differentiation” in the competitive UK grocery market. For sites that remain, the company plans to invest in its Market Street concept while working with specialist partners to reallocate closed spaces when possible.
- Some locations may eventually house third-party offerings in place of their former Morrisons services, though details are still being finalised.
- The chain argues this strategic focus is necessary for long-term viability as consumer trends evolve.
Prospects for the Future
For Morrisons, 2025’s closures signify one of the most dramatic reshaping efforts in the history of UK supermarket retail. The changes may deliver greater efficiency and profitability, but come at a clear social and personal cost to customers and workers relying on local stores.
- The closures are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
- Customers in affected areas are advised to check with local stores or Morrisons’ website for the latest updates and alternative service arrangements.