Morrisons has confirmed the closure of 17 convenience stores and the removal of 128 additional services across its UK estate, as part of a major restructuring effort led by CEO Rami Baitieh. The Bradford-headquartered supermarket chain announced that these measures would result in hundreds of job losses, with the majority of changes expected to take effect by the end of 2025.
The announcement represents one of the most significant rounds of service reductions in the retailer’s recent history. Alongside the store and service closures, Morrisons has confirmed broader workforce reductions affecting several thousand employees across distribution, manufacturing, and head office functions. The moves come amid ongoing pressure on supermarket profits and changing consumer shopping habits.
Communities in Scotland are among those facing the most notable impact, with specific store closures confirmed in Peebles and Stewarton. The restructuring has drawn attention to food access concerns in areas where Morrisons may have been one of the few remaining retail options.
Which Morrisons Stores Are Closing? Full List and Locations
Morrisons has confirmed that 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores have closed or are in the process of closing, representing the first wave of a broader programme affecting services across the country. The closures span England and Scotland, with the bulk of them taking effect on April 16, 2025.
The 17 closed Morrisons Daily stores are:
- Gorleston Lowestoft Road
- Shenfield 214 Hutton Road
- Peebles 3-5 Old Town (Scotland)
- Poole Waterloo Estate
- Tonbridge Higham Lane Est
- Romsey The Cornmarket
- Stewarton Lainshaw Street (Scotland)
- Selsdon Featherbed Lane
- Great Barr Queslett Road
- Whickham Oakfield Road
- Worle
- Goring-By-Sea Strand Parade
- Woking Westfield Road
- Wokingham 40 Peach Street
- Exeter 51 Sidwell Street
- Bath Moorland Road
- Haxby Village (May 14, 2025)
The 17 stores represent only a fraction of the total restructuring. Morrisons has not released a comprehensive list of all 145 affected locations, though the company has confirmed that Scottish communities, including those in Peebles, Stewarton, Bathgate, and Glasgow suburbs, face impacts from both store and service closures.
What Services Are Being Removed Alongside Store Closures?
Beyond the 17 store closures, Morrisons is removing 128 individual services from its remaining estate. These include 52 cafes, 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and 4 pharmacies. The cafes represent the largest single category of removal, spanning locations from Scotland to southern England.
| Service Type | Number Affected |
|---|---|
| Cafes | 52 |
| Market Kitchens | 18 |
| Florists | 13 |
| Meat Counters | 35 |
| Fish Counters | 35 |
| Pharmacies | 4 |
| Morrisons Daily Stores | 17 |
| Total | 145 |
The removals are being staggered throughout 2025 to allow for operational adjustments. Morrisons has stated that the changes are designed to refocus resources on areas where customer demand is strongest.
How Many Jobs Are Morrisons Cutting Due to Store Closures?
The confirmed job losses directly tied to the 145 service closures amount to 365 redundancies. However, this figure represents only the positions affected by the specific removal of services such as cafes, counters, and other in-store offerings. The broader workforce reduction paints a larger picture.
Total Workforce Reduction Figures
Morrisons has confirmed total job cuts of 3,600 across its operations, representing approximately 3.4 percent of its workforce. These reductions span multiple areas:
- In-store roles affected by service removals
- Distribution centre staff
- Manufacturing employees
- Head office personnel based in Bradford
The workforce reduction is reflected in official figures. The company’s headcount fell from 104,819 to 101,144 in the year ending October 27, 2024, indicating that the cuts had already begun before the most recent announcements.
Morrisons has committed to providing support for workers affected by the closures. Employees facing redundancy may be entitled to statutory rights, and the company has indicated it will assist those affected in finding alternative employment where possible.
Impact on Scottish Communities
Communities in Scotland face particular challenges from the restructuring. The closures of Morrisons Daily stores in Peebles and Stewarton have reduced access to convenience shopping in towns where alternatives may be limited. Rural areas with fewer transport options are especially vulnerable to reduced food access.
Beyond the store closures, Scottish locations have been affected by the removal of in-store services including cafes and counters. The cumulative impact on local employment and retail access remains a concern for community representatives.
What Are the Details of Morrisons’ Recent Closure Announcements?
The restructuring announced by Morrisons forms part of CEO Rami Baitieh’s turnaround strategy for the company. The initiative responds to ongoing pressure on supermarket profits and a shift in consumer purchasing behaviour, with more shoppers moving towards value retailers and online alternatives.
Business Pressures Driving the Restructuring
Morrisons has faced declining sales and revenue in recent periods, prompting a strategic review of underperforming areas. The company identified services with low utilisation rates as primary candidates for removal, particularly in-store cafes and specialist counters that require significant staffing and maintenance.
Official statements from the company have emphasised economic pressures as the driving factor behind the decisions. The 52 cafes being removed represent the largest category, with these facilities often operating with high overheads relative to customer throughput.
In areas where Morrisons serves as a primary food retailer, the removal of services and store closures can significantly affect food access, particularly for communities without easy transport alternatives. Scottish towns affected by Morrisons closures may face heightened food insecurity risks.
Strategic Priorities
The restructuring aims to refocus Morrisons on its core supermarket offering while reducing costs associated with supporting less profitable services. According to reports covered by GB News, the company is prioritising areas where customer demand remains strong and where operational efficiency can be improved.
Head office functions in Bradford have also been affected, with approximately 200 roles reduced in the corporate division. These cuts form part of the broader 3,600 job reduction figure and reflect efforts to streamline administrative operations.
What Morrisons Store Closures Are Planned for 2026?
No full closures of Morrisons stores have been confirmed for 2026 at this stage. The announcements made in 2025 focus on the removal of specific services and the closure of the 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores, with the majority of changes expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Detailed timelines beyond 2025 remain unconfirmed. The company has not announced specific plans for additional closures or service removals next year, creating uncertainty for staff and communities monitoring the situation.
The uncertainty surrounding future plans reflects the ongoing nature of the restructuring programme. While CEO Rami Baitieh has outlined a turnaround strategy, the specific steps for 2026 and beyond have not been fully detailed in public announcements.
No specific 2026 closure plans have been announced by Morrisons. Staff and communities should monitor official communications for updates as the company continues to evaluate its estate and operational structure. Morrisons is closing 17 convenience stores, leading to job losses, find the full list at B&Q Wigan store hours. B&Q Wigan store hours
Timeline of Morrisons Restructuring and Closures
The restructuring announcements have unfolded over several months, with different aspects of the programme taking effect at various stages. Below is a summary of key events and their associated timelines.
- Financial year to October 27, 2024: Workforce reduced from 104,819 to 101,144 as initial cuts took effect.
- April 16, 2025: Sixteen Morrisons Daily stores closed across England and Scotland.
- May 14, 2025: Haxby Village Morrisons Daily store closed.
- 2025 (staggered): Removal of 128 services including cafes, counters, and other facilities to be completed by end of year.
- 2025: Head office reductions of approximately 200 roles announced at Bradford headquarters.
- 2026: No confirmed plans; ongoing uncertainty regarding further restructuring.
The staggered approach to removing services has been designed to allow operational adjustments and support affected employees. Morrisons has indicated that the pace of changes reflects practical considerations around resource allocation and staff transition.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
Several aspects of the Morrisons restructuring are clearly established, while others remain subject to uncertainty. The table below summarises what is known and what requires further clarification.
| Established Information | Unconfirmed Information |
|---|---|
| 17 Morrisons Daily stores closed or closing (April-May 2025) | Full list of all 145 affected locations |
| 3,600 total job cuts across the business | Exact impact on specific communities in Scotland |
| 365 redundancies directly linked to service removals | Specific plans for 2026 and beyond |
| 52 cafes, 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists among services affected | Whether additional stores will close beyond 2025 |
| Workforce reduced from 104,819 to 101,144 (year to Oct 2024) | Long-term strategy details under CEO Rami Baitieh |
| Changes part of turnaround strategy amid declining sales | Future of remaining underperforming services |
The information provided by Morrisons has centred on the confirmed service removals and store closures, with less detail available on broader strategic plans or future iterations of the restructuring programme. This has left staff, communities, and industry observers seeking clarification on what may follow the current round of changes.
Context Behind Morrisons Restructuring Decisions
The decisions announced by Morrisons reflect broader trends affecting the UK supermarket sector. Rising costs, changing consumer habits, and increased competition from discount retailers have placed pressure on traditional supermarket business models.
Morrisons, founded in Bradford in 1899, has historically positioned itself as a mainstream supermarket chain competing for market share alongside Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda. The company has faced intensifying competition in recent years, with the growth of discount chains such as Aldi and Lidl capturing customers seeking lower prices.
CEO Rami Baitieh, who has led the company since his appointment, has pursued a strategy focused on efficiency improvements and operational restructuring. The removal of underutilised services and the closure of smaller-format stores align with this approach, aiming to consolidate resources around the most commercially viable parts of the business.
The impact on employment extends beyond the immediate job losses. Communities losing Morrisons stores or services may also face reduced economic activity in surrounding areas, affecting suppliers, local businesses, and other employers reliant on footfall from the supermarket.
Sources and Official Statements
Morrisons has confirmed its restructuring plans through corporate communications and statements to media organisations. The company has committed to supporting affected employees through the transition period.
The announcement reflects the economic pressures facing many retail businesses and the need to ensure Morrisons remains competitive in a challenging market environment.
Workers facing redundancy are advised to consult official resources regarding their rights. The government’s redundancy guidance outlines statutory entitlements for affected employees, including notice periods, redundancy pay, and alternatives to dismissal such as suitable alternative employment within the organisation.
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) also provides support for employees navigating redundancy processes, offering advice on handling the situation and exploring new employment opportunities.
Summary and Current Status
Morrisons has confirmed the closure of 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores and the removal of 128 services across its UK estate, resulting in hundreds of job losses tied directly to the service removals. The broader workforce reduction stands at 3,600 positions, representing approximately 3.4 percent of the company’s total staff.
The restructuring, led by CEO Rami Baitieh, responds to declining sales and revenue while aiming to refocus resources on more viable operations. Scottish communities, including those in Peebles and Stewarton, have been notably affected by the changes.
The majority of changes are scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with no confirmed plans for additional closures or service removals in 2026. Uncertainty remains regarding the company’s longer-term strategy and any further adjustments to its store network or service offering.
For those seeking support with cost of living concerns during periods of financial uncertainty, guidance is available on topics such as Cost of Living Payment 2024/25 Universal Credit – No 2025 Payments Confirmed. Additional support resources can be found through government and advice services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Morrisons stores have closed in 2025?
Morrisons has confirmed the closure of 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores, with the majority closing on April 16, 2025, and one (Haxby Village) closing on May 14, 2025.
What services is Morrisons removing from its stores?
The company is removing 128 services including 52 cafes, 18 Market Kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and 4 pharmacies across its UK estate.
How many jobs have been cut at Morrisons?
The total workforce reduction stands at 3,600 positions, representing approximately 3.4 percent of the company’s workforce. Of these, 365 redundancies are directly linked to the 145 service closures.
Which Morrisons stores in Scotland have closed?
Confirmed closures in Scotland include the Morrisons Daily stores in Peebles (3-5 Old Town) and Stewarton (Lainshaw Street). Additional impacts from service removals have been reported in Bathgate and Glasgow suburbs.
Are there any Morrisons store closures planned for 2026?
No specific plans for 2026 have been announced. The current restructuring focuses on changes to be completed by the end of 2025, with no confirmed full closures scheduled for next year.
What support is available for workers made redundant at Morrisons?
Morrisons has committed to supporting affected workers. Employees may be entitled to statutory redundancy pay, notice periods, and assistance finding alternative employment where possible.
Thomas Whitmore is Politics & Public Affairs Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, covering Parliament, government policy, elections, public spending and political accountability.