Morrisons has confirmed which of its Daily convenience stores have closed or are set to close as part of a plan to shut 100 outlets, impacting hundreds of jobs. The supermarket chain announced in May that it would close the loss-making stores over the next few months. All affected stores are former McColl's outlets that Morrisons acquired in 2022.
Which Morrisons Daily stores are closing?
While the full list of 100 stores has not been released, Morrisons has confirmed several branches that are closing or have already shut. These include:
- Fairfax Avenue, Hull
- Esk Close, Guisborough
- Zetland Road, Loftus
- Stokesley High Street, Middlesbrough
- Queen Street, Redcar
- Middle Street, South Driffield
- Woodthorpe, York
- Crockhamwell Road, Woodley
- Crown Wood, Bracknell
Some closures will also affect Post Office branches located inside the Morrisons Daily stores. For example, the Post Office branches in Woodley and Crown Wood are expected to close. According to The Sun, the Post Office is considering applications from nearby retailers in Crown Wood to relocate the service.
Morrisons' statement on closures
A spokesperson for Morrisons told Metro that the expansion of the company's convenience business remains a core part of its growth strategy. They said: 'The performance of all company-owned stores across our convenience business is subject to continuous review. This process has identified a number of stores, which were part of the McColl's acquisition, whose performance has been challenged for a number of years and which are loss-making, despite remedial action.'
'This situation has been exacerbated in more recent years by significant cost increases resulting from government policy choices,' the spokesperson added. 'Having completed the review, we are now proposing to take the tough but necessary decision to close a number of these stores over the next few months.'
'The combination of the proposed closure of loss-making stores and the continued addition of attractive new franchise openings will enable us to concentrate on those stores which work best for customers.'
Morrisons currently operates around 1,700 convenience stores and 500 supermarkets, employing approximately 95,000 people. The company is consulting affected staff. In the past year, Morrisons has also shut cafes, florists, and fresh food counters.
Broader high street closures
Dozens of other high street shops, restaurants, and banks have closed in recent months. Quiz Clothing fell into administration, and Poundstretcher warned it could file for administration. Modella Capital suggested up to 150 former WHSmith shops could close under restructuring plans. Restaurant chain Franco Manca confirmed it would close 16 UK outlets, while its sister restaurant The Real Greek announced nine closures. Around 200 Brewers Fayre and Beefeather restaurants, operated by Premier Inn owner Whitbread, are set to close. Chains like GAME, The Original Factory Shop, Claire's Accessories, and Poundland have also closed stores this year. Recently, comedian Romesh Ranganathan was left 'gutted' after the 89-year-old bakery he co-owns, Coughlans Bakery, entered voluntary liquidation.
