More than 360 workers across Britain face the prospect of redundancy as Morrisons begins a significant round of closures affecting its in-store services. The supermarket chain has confirmed that 52 of its cafés, along with 18 food-to-go market kitchen sites, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies, will be shut down in the coming months.
These closures come as part of a broader strategic review that Morrisons says is necessary due to operational costs being “significantly out of line with usage, volumes or the value that customers place on them.”
The announcement has raised alarm across the retail sector and among working communities already under economic pressure. According to a list obtained by The Workers Union, affected cafés are located in every corner of the UK—from London and Glasgow to Ipswich and Largs—raising concerns about the knock-on impact for local high streets and consumer choice.
The café closures will affect the following locations:
Closures include:
Bradford (Thornbury), Paisley (Falside Road), London (Queensbury, Wood Green, Hatch End, Erith, Stratford), Portsmouth, Newcastle (Great Park, Cowgate), Banchory, Failsworth, Blackburn, Leeds (Swinnow Road, Horsforth), Kirkham, Lutterworth, Birmingham (Stirchley), East Sussex (Crowborough), Bellshill, Dumbarton, East Kilbride (Lindsayfield, Stewartfield), Glasgow (Newlands), Largs, Troon, Wishaw, Northampton, Bromsgrove, Solihull, Brecon, Caernarfon, Ipswich, High Wycombe, Leighton Buzzard, Sidcup, Welwyn Garden City, Warminster, Oxted, Reigate, Borehamwood, Weybridge, Bathgate, Erskine, Gorleston, Deeside, Mansfield, Halifax, Gloucester, Watford, Littlehampton, and Helensburgh.
In total, approximately 365 positions are at risk, though Morrisons says efforts will be made to redeploy some affected staff into other areas of the business.
‘A bright future’ for cafés – but not for all
Despite the scale of the closures, Morrisons insists that its café operations continue to hold strategic importance. “A minority have specific local challenges and in those locations, regrettably, closure and re-allocation of the space is the only sensible option,” stated Chief Executive Rami Baitieh.
Mr Baitieh confirmed that in areas where cafés will be closed, the supermarket intends to collaborate with external partners to provide customers with alternative food and drink offerings. The aim, according to Morrisons, is to enhance the overall customer experience while managing costs.
Workers caught in the crosshairs
The news has stirred concern among workers rights and industry observers alike, particularly given the continuing cost-of-living pressures and employment instability across the UK. The closures raise critical questions about how businesses respond to shifting consumer habits and economic pressures — and the implications for the workers who keep these services running.
Retail staff are frequently the first to feel the impact of such restructures. While some roles may be retained through internal redeployment, many workers face an uncertain path forward, particularly in locations where alternative job roles within Morrisons are scarce or non-existent.
A wider trend in retail transformation
The move by Morrisons is not isolated. Across the retail sector, supermarkets such as Tesco’s and other high-street stores are reviewing their operational models to align with changing consumer preferences and rising costs. The decline in demand for in-store counters and traditional café services has been accelerated by digital shopping habits, inflationary pressures, and the need to streamline store footprints.
Yet while strategy and financial viability are part of any large corporation’s decision-making, the human impact must not be overlooked. Redundancies, whether partial or full, disrupt lives and leave scars in the communities they affect.
No timeline, but swift action expected
The supermarket has not provided an exact timetable for the closures, though sources suggest the affected operations will wind down gradually “over the next few months.” This has created a period of uncertainty for workers, customers, and local economies alike.
The Workers Union Says…
“All affected employees musk seek advice and guidance about their options as this situation develops. While some may find roles elsewhere in the company, others may need support in exploring training, upskilling, or alternative employment. The potential loss of hundreds of jobs at Morrisons is a worrying development for the UK’s retail workforce. While the supermarket’s leadership frames the closures as a necessary recalibration of resources, the consequences for staff and communities will be far-reaching. As the transition unfolds, transparency and support for workers must remain a priority.”
