Approximately 365 jobs may be lost at Morrisons stores across Britain as cafes and in-store services are set to close.
These hundreds of roles are at risk of redundancy, the supermarket chain announced, as it plans to close 52 cafes, all 18 market kitchens food-to-go sites, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies.
Some employees working in these services will be redeployed to other areas within the business, Morrisons stated.
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Morrisons did not provide an exact timeline for these closures but mentioned that the operations will be shut down «over the next few months.»
The decision to make these cuts is due to the supermarket chain’s assessment that the «costs of operations are significantly out of line with usage, volumes, or the value that customers place on them.»
Despite the closure of 52 cafes, Morrisons expressed confidence in the future of this offering in most locations. In 2021, there were 406 Morrisons cafes in operation.
«A minority of cafes face specific local challenges, and in those instances, unfortunately, closure and reallocation of the space are deemed the only logical choices,» said Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitieh.
In locations where cafes are closing, Morrisons intends to collaborate with third parties to offer a relevant specialist service.
List of closures
The cafes due to close are:
Bradford, Thornbury
Paisley, Falside Road
London, Queensbury
Portsmouth
Newcastle, Great Park
Banchory, North Deeside Road
Failsworth, Poplar Street
Blackburn, Railway Road
Leeds, Swinnow Road
London, Wood Green
Kirkham, Poulton Street
Lutterworth, Bitteswell Road
Birmingham, Stirchley
Leeds, Horsforth
London, Erith
East Sussex, Crowborough
Bellshill, John Street
Dumbarton, Glasgow Road
East Kilbride, Lindsayfield
East Kilbride, Stewartfield
Glasgow, Newlands
Largs, Irvine Road
Troon, Academy Street
Wishaw, Kirk Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Cowgate
Northampton, Kettering Road
Bromsgrove, Buntsford Industrial Park
Solihull, Warwick Road
Brecon, Free Street
Caernarfon, North Road
Ipswich, Hadleigh
London, Hatch End
High Wycombe, Temple End
Leighton Buzzard, Lake Street
London, Stratford
Sidcup, Westwood Lane
Welwyn Garden City, Black Fan Road
Warminster, Weymouth Street
Oxted, Station Yard
Reigate, Bell Street
Borehamwood, Stirling Way
Weybridge, Monument Hill
Bathgate, Linkston Way
Erskine, Bridgewater Shopping Centre
Gorleston, Blackwell Road
Deeside, Connah’s Quay
Mansfield, Woodhouse Centre
Halifax, Elland
Gloucester, Metz Way
Watford, Ascot Road
Littlehampton, Wick
Helensburgh, Cardross Road
Morrisons daily convenience stores being shut are:
Gorleston, Lowestoft Road
Peebles, Old Town
Shenfield, Hutton Road
Poole, Waterloo Estate
Tonbridge, Higham Lane
Romsey, The Cornmarket
Stewarton, Lainshaw Street
Selsdon Featherbed Lane
Haxby Village
Great Barr, Queslett Road
Whickham, Oakfield Road
Weston-super-Mare, Worle
Goring-By-Sea, Strand Parade
Woking, Westfield Road
Wokingham, Peach Street
Exeter, Sidwell Street
Bath, Moorland Road
The union representing Morrisons workers – the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) – stated that it would provide support to its members.
Darren Matthews, USDAW National Officer, stated: «Our main focus is to retain as many employees within the business as possible. We appreciate Morrisons’ early indication that the majority of affected staff will be redeployed to other roles within the company. USDAW is actively engaged in discussions with the company regarding these proposals, enabling us to address concerns, pose challenges, and ask important questions about the company’s business rationale.»